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Prelude #3 - Prelude Pour Deux Pianistes “La Bicyclette Rouge” by Danaë Xanthe Vlasse;
Time: 3’18.”
Duo Piano work, with 4 hands at one piano, for two Intermediate Level Pianists; composed on special commission for Dr. Roger Jelliffe, 2014.
Performance Notes:
The treble part of this piece may be performed alone, as a deeply reflective, meditative piece, with a quiet reference to the bitter-sweetness of childhood memories and a sense of wistful introspection.
As a duet this work takes on a new aura through all the rhythmic motion brought by the rolling bass part; the emotion of the piece shifts into a sweetly meandering daydream, inviting the listener to imagine all the joys of an idyllic bike ride full of sunshine and fresh air!
Allegorically, the work is meant to portray loneliness as a solo (when playing only the upper part), but then the piece takes on a new character of pleasant camaraderie as a duet.
As a solo work, voicing and pedaling are the greatest challenges for learning this piece; however as a duet the greatest challenge lies in synchronizing the rubato such that each phrase arcs with dimension and the whole of the work breathes organically through gentle tempo variations that enhance the dynamic and emotional palette!
Many of Mrs. Vlasse's compositions are published by bpr music. Contact the composer to obtain scores for anything not sold through bpr music.
Time: 3’18.”
Duo Piano work, with 4 hands at one piano, for two Intermediate Level Pianists; composed on special commission for Dr. Roger Jelliffe, 2014.
Performance Notes:
The treble part of this piece may be performed alone, as a deeply reflective, meditative piece, with a quiet reference to the bitter-sweetness of childhood memories and a sense of wistful introspection.
As a duet this work takes on a new aura through all the rhythmic motion brought by the rolling bass part; the emotion of the piece shifts into a sweetly meandering daydream, inviting the listener to imagine all the joys of an idyllic bike ride full of sunshine and fresh air!
Allegorically, the work is meant to portray loneliness as a solo (when playing only the upper part), but then the piece takes on a new character of pleasant camaraderie as a duet.
As a solo work, voicing and pedaling are the greatest challenges for learning this piece; however as a duet the greatest challenge lies in synchronizing the rubato such that each phrase arcs with dimension and the whole of the work breathes organically through gentle tempo variations that enhance the dynamic and emotional palette!
Many of Mrs. Vlasse's compositions are published by bpr music. Contact the composer to obtain scores for anything not sold through bpr music.