The music of American composer Peter Lieberson shows the influence of several great compositional voices of the 20th century: Berg and Stravinsky come to mind, as well as music by some of his teachers, American composers Donald Martino and Milton Babbitt. We are fortunate to have several solo piano works by Lieberson, mostly as a result of his fruitful artistic partnership with the distinguished American pianist Peter Serkin. The Bagatelles were premiered by Serkin in 1985. Lieberson writes of this work: “There are three bagatelles in all: Proclamation; Spontaneous Songs, a group of short character pieces; and finally, The Dance, a slightly more than three-minute waltz.”
“Proclamation" serves as a prelude: it is brief and intense, both free and tightly wound. "Spontaneous Songs" is a slow movement: expansive, spacious and calm. "The Dance" is the final movement: a gentle, gracious dance with intricate counterpoint and a tranquil ending. What I love about this work is its sense of freedom and improvisation on the one hand, and its richly complex musical language on the other hand.Benjamin Hochman
Classical Music | Piano Music
Peter Lieberson
Bagatelles Play
Recorded on 09/12/2012, uploaded on 09/12/2012
Musician's or Publisher's Notes
The music of American composer Peter Lieberson shows the influence of several great compositional voices of the 20th century: Berg and Stravinsky come to mind, as well as music by some of his teachers, American composers Donald Martino and Milton Babbitt. We are fortunate to have several solo piano works by Lieberson, mostly as a result of his fruitful artistic partnership with the distinguished American pianist Peter Serkin. The Bagatelles were premiered by Serkin in 1985. Lieberson writes of this work: “There are three bagatelles in all: Proclamation; Spontaneous Songs, a group of short character pieces; and finally, The Dance, a slightly more than three-minute waltz.”
“Proclamation" serves as a prelude: it is brief and intense, both free and tightly wound. "Spontaneous Songs" is a slow movement: expansive, spacious and calm. "The Dance" is the final movement: a gentle, gracious dance with intricate counterpoint and a tranquil ending. What I love about this work is its sense of freedom and improvisation on the one hand, and its richly complex musical language on the other hand. Benjamin Hochman
More music by Peter Lieberson
The Dance, from Bagatelles
Proclamation, from Bagatelles
Spontaneous Songs, from Bagatelles
Rilke Songs: no. 1, O ihr Zärtlichen
Rilke Songs: no. 2, Atmen, du unsichtbares Gedicht!
Performances by same musician(s)
Intermezzo in e minor, Op. 116, No. 5, from Seven Fantasies
Capriccio in d minor, Op 116, No. 7, from Seven Fantasies
Seven Fantasies
The Dance, from Bagatelles
Proclamation, from Bagatelles
Spontaneous Songs, from Bagatelles
Capriccio in d minor, Op. 116, No. 1, from Seven Fantasies
Intermezzo in a minor, Op. 116, No. 2, from Seven Fantasies
Capriccio in g minor, Op. 116, No. 3, from Seven Fantasies
Intermezzo in E Major, Op. 116, No. 4, from Seven Fantasies
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