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Konstantinos Grigoriou
5 Nocturnes for solo piano
EPN 1270
ISMN 979-0-69151-735-2
Pages: 24
Size: 235 x 320 mm
Four Nocturnes and a Toccata for Solo Piano’ was composed in Krapsi, Ioannina (I, III) and Santorini (II, IV) from July to October, 2011.
The first Nocturne begins with a melody, accompanied in counterpoint and a mood of continuous harmonic friction. As it progresses, it is followed by a ‘nervous’ part with great contrasts (patetico e poco misterioso), leading to the climax of the piece. Subse-quently, the original theme is repeated, but slightly altered.
The second part is an allegro vivace, which is partly influenced by the Mefisto valse No 4 by Franz Liszt. A frantic tempo, which stands as the antithesis of the slow first part, creating an atmosphere sometimes ‘dreamy’ and others ironic, facetious with major contrasts. It is essentially the first major climax of the project.
In the third part (andante), the impressionistic mood is intense. It contains, perhaps, less number of themes, which gives it a distinct form and making it easier to identify the original pattern, whenever exposed. It variantly borrows themes from the first Noc-turne, which are presented with a different processing.
The fourth Nocturne is a quite mournful andante dramatico e poco melancolico, where the 5/4 tempo is used, with a persistent rhythmic pattern in the left hand, very similar to the marchia funebre tempo. The main melodic and dramatic theme of the right hand is presented three times, each with a different harmonization. It concludes optimistically, in complete contrast to the imposing basso ostinato, in a mood for re-demption.
Toccata, the last, concluding piece, is a presto misterioso in 6/8, with a ‘demonic’ rhythm and a continuous, unstoppable movement with eighths, describes a turbulent and ‘stormy’ night. Elements inserted mockingly in between at certain points, which vent the ‘tumultuous’ image of the Nocturne.
Ι would like to express my gratitude to my good friend and pianist Dimitris Koukos who, once more, offered me his help and guidance, during the composition of this piece, and undertook its first presentation.
“For Nocturnes and a Toccatta” are dedicated to the memory of my dear friend and founder of the National Conservatory Annex of Thira, Nikos Papageorgiou.
Konstantinos Grigoriou
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