Twelve Piano Preludes - Ilja Hurník
In Twelve Piano Preludes the author combines a number of compositional elements: fugatto; unrestrained prelude passages; ostinato patterns are used here and there; some parts betray a toccata-like character that is at times interleaved with arpeggios. The mood of each of the twelve parts differs, whether in the modal character, in the dance-like gaiety, or in the turbulence of the music. Forming a well-rounded and coherent unit, the whole composition can easily become a part of any piano virtuoso’s stable repertoire. The individual parts are entitled as follows: Aggressively, Playfully, With a Smile, Dramatically, With Humour, Lullaby, Gigue, Dialogue, Angrily, Recollection, Boisterously, Reconciliation.
This cycle, highly demanding in technique, represents the author’s return to his roots, i.e. to piano music composition. Throughout the piece, Hurník makes use of a kind of blurred diatonics that after a brief harmonic digression unmistakeably finds its way to the appropriate consonants. Personally, I have been deeply impressed by the piece, despite the fact that one could not possibly label the composition experimental in any way; the author is perfectly sure about which means of expression to use and where.
Other compositions by Ilja Hurník published in Czech Radio:
Concerto for Flute and Chamber Orchestra - score
Concerto for Flute and Chamber Orchestra - piano score
Music for Piano
Symphony in C
instrumentationpfte solodescriptionpartpubl. No.R 206price145,- CZK