Frank Martin’s Préludes for Piano exemplify his unique, brooding style, with its characteristic admixture of free twelve-tone techniques, restless melodies that keep on turning in on themselves, and traditional, almost ordinary harmonies, employed in highly original sequences. They were originally composed for the legendary Romanian pianist Dinu Lipatti, whom Martin had met during World War II. It must have been one of Martin’s great disappointments that Lipatti did not live long enough to perform them. The eighth prelude, a rondo, also bears the unmistakable stamp of Martin, with its main theme composed of a fanfare-like juxtaposition of triads. From start to finish it moves at breakneck speed with a harmonic and rhythmic vigor that borders on violence.Notes by Robert Silverman
Classical Music | Piano Music
Frank Martin
Préludes for Piano, No. 8 Play
Recorded on 08/12/2015, uploaded on 04/24/2016
Musician's or Publisher's Notes
Frank Martin’s Préludes for Piano exemplify his unique, brooding style, with its characteristic admixture of free twelve-tone techniques, restless melodies that keep on turning in on themselves, and traditional, almost ordinary harmonies, employed in highly original sequences. They were originally composed for the legendary Romanian pianist Dinu Lipatti, whom Martin had met during World War II. It must have been one of Martin’s great disappointments that Lipatti did not live long enough to perform them. The eighth prelude, a rondo, also bears the unmistakable stamp of Martin, with its main theme composed of a fanfare-like juxtaposition of triads. From start to finish it moves at breakneck speed with a harmonic and rhythmic vigor that borders on violence. Notes by Robert Silverman
More music by Frank Martin
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Ballade
Petite Symphonie Concertante
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