Quatre études, Op. 7 (Stravinsky)

Structure

The four movements are listed as: |Con moto |Allegro brillante |Andantino |Vivo}}

These four études are focused on difficult and irregular rhythmical structures for pianists, countering tuplets with other rhythmically regular forms or other rhythmical structures that involve certain difficulty for performers.

The first étude in C minor, dedicated to (Etienne Mitoussow), consists of a regular with triplets against quintuplets or even septuplets at some point. The second étude in D major, dedicated to Nikolay Richter (Nicolas Richter), is in and opposes sixteenth notes against quadruplets and quintuplets. The third in E minor, dedicated to Andrey Rimsky-Korsakov, doesn't require much effort or experience in polyrhythm, while the long legato melody is in the middle voice and the accompaniment figures are in the upper registers. The main trait of the fourth étude in F-sharp major, which is dedicated to , is its syncopation, present throughout the étude.

Although much of this music is still derivative of Chopin, Scriabin, and Rachmaninoff, Stravinsky’s own voice asserts itself in the percussive final étude.

References

References

1. "Con moto, for piano (Four Etudes No. 1), Op. 7/1". Rovi Corporation.
2. "Allegro brillante, for piano (Four Etudes No. 2), Op. 7/2". Rovi Corporation.
3. "Andantino, for piano (Four Etudes No. 3), Op. 7/3". Rovi Corporation.
4. Truslove, David. (2008). "STRAVINSKY: Music for Piano Solo". Naxos Digital Services.
5. (1985). "Stravinsky: The Composer and His Works, Second edition". University of California Press.