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Konstantinos Grigoriou
Variations on a theme by Periklis Koukos for violin & piano
EPN 1273
ISMN 979-0-69151-733-8
Pages: 20
Size: 235 x 320 mm
Variations on a theme by Periklis Koukos is started to be written it on April of 2009 in Santorini, Greece. The up-beat sense that exists on the theme maintained in the whole 9 variations that contin-ues. Since the firsts that are tonic (or at least with tonic centres) up to the last which seems, at least harmoniously, to move from the theme, there is a continuous effort to petition and hit with conflicting rhythmic and melodic themes. The first two variations are presented attacca, contiguous with the theme.
In the first variation, the piano assume to reminds us the theme and the violin presents the internal melodic lines. In the second variation, the theme is still at the piano, in triplets of sixteenth and thirty-second notes. The violin uses secondary themes which turn heavily around the theme. The third variation presents the violin in a more soloist role and an intense rhythmic element that gives the 7/8 tempo, according to an internal polyrythmia (in many places the piano divides the measure into 4+3/8 and the violin at 3+4/8). Here is the first peak of the work.
The fourth variation presents, in the violin, the theme unchanged in its very high area. The harmony at the piano with fourth and fifth augmented and diminished intervals, is a reference to the impressionistic style. In the fifth variation, which is in the form of improvisation and cadenza, the presence of the piano is subtle and in some places missing altogether. The sixth variation, the second peak, is in the tempo of the waltz. A “war” variation with tough harmonies, the theme in diaphonies and a strong rhythmic element.
The seventh variation is perhaps the most lyrical of the nine. The piano sounds deep and im-pressive, while the violin, with a melody in the bass tones, which is turning around the theme’s notes in semi-tones, blast off towards, in the end, with harmonics in a mood of annihilation. The eighth vari-ation tries to combine the violin, which presents very expressive a part of the theme with a continu-ous-persistent pattern of piano. The last variation with the indication to be played as fast as possible, shows the masterly solo-violin skills up to the point of challenging and frantic.
Ι would like to express my gratitude to two great friends and great musicians, too, who undertook its first presentation, the violinist Dimitris Angelicas and pianist Dimitris Koukos, to whom (of course) I dedicate this piece.
Konstantinos Grigoriou
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