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Set of four short beginner/intermediate pieces for solo piano composed by Andrew Kierszenbaum in 2020. Duration: approximately 8 minutes and 45 seconds (12 pages).
Listen to “Seger Suite (2020)” performed by Andrew Kierszenbaum: https://on.soundcloud.com/kVot7Jozo0CCOrzbxV
*****
More about this set — written by Andrew in 2020 while he was going to college in Philadelphia:
“Here's a collection of four short pieces I wrote. I had beginner/intermediate pianists in mind for them, so hopefully they should be more approachable than some of my other music. The name of the suite was inspired by a dog park I walked by a few weeks ago that inspired me to compose the first piece (the Scherzetto was actually written first!). The rest followed in a similar vein.. I'll post some thoughts of mine below on each piece.
I. Intermezzo: Andante espressivo
Normally, intermezzos function as a transition between two larger pieces—here, I wanted to start with one! The beginning sets the tone for the whole piece with a lavish melody that curls and meanders around blocked chords in the left hand to create a lamenting, songful ensemble. After a short B section, the main melody returns, culminating in light and rapid right hand runs that bring the piece to a close. This one's definitely for Chopin fans (with a touch of Rachmaninoff, especially at the end).
II. Scherzetto: Allegro
This was the first piece I composed of the set! I got home from a walk where I passed a dog park, and all the dogs running around inspired me to create a simple piece that anyone could pick up and play. Just like dogs, this piece is runs at you, then away from you, then back at you again in a flash!
III. Impromptu: Allegro ma non troppo
So I'm seeing Rach 3 this weekend (one of my favorite pieces ever..) and that may have subconsciously inspired the accompaniment texture of this miniature... It's a turbulent, roller-coaster ride that's as fun to play as it is to listen to! My favorite part of this piece is the “risoluto” D-flat major section! It was so much fun to write, and it just fills me to the brim with joy each time I play it. I had to bring it back at the end in the parallel major (B-flat major)—it provides a positive feeling of hope to a piece that started out so grimly. By the way, this was the piece of the set I composed last!
IV. Prelude: Presto
A very playful interlude, this piece plays on delicate and interesting chords and subtle melodies. I'm not a huge Brahms fan, but I love the last movement of his second piano concerto and that probably comes through in the beginning melody! I also had a lot of fun writing the ending to this one, from the daring octave unison chords to the powerful double octaves that bring the piece to a close.”
Set of four short beginner/intermediate pieces for solo piano composed by Andrew Kierszenbaum in 2020. Duration: approximately 8 minutes and 45 seconds (12 pages).
Listen to “Seger Suite (2020)” performed by Andrew Kierszenbaum: https://on.soundcloud.com/kVot7Jozo0CCOrzbxV
*****
More about this set — written by Andrew in 2020 while he was going to college in Philadelphia:
“Here's a collection of four short pieces I wrote. I had beginner/intermediate pianists in mind for them, so hopefully they should be more approachable than some of my other music. The name of the suite was inspired by a dog park I walked by a few weeks ago that inspired me to compose the first piece (the Scherzetto was actually written first!). The rest followed in a similar vein.. I'll post some thoughts of mine below on each piece.
I. Intermezzo: Andante espressivo
Normally, intermezzos function as a transition between two larger pieces—here, I wanted to start with one! The beginning sets the tone for the whole piece with a lavish melody that curls and meanders around blocked chords in the left hand to create a lamenting, songful ensemble. After a short B section, the main melody returns, culminating in light and rapid right hand runs that bring the piece to a close. This one's definitely for Chopin fans (with a touch of Rachmaninoff, especially at the end).
II. Scherzetto: Allegro
This was the first piece I composed of the set! I got home from a walk where I passed a dog park, and all the dogs running around inspired me to create a simple piece that anyone could pick up and play. Just like dogs, this piece is runs at you, then away from you, then back at you again in a flash!
III. Impromptu: Allegro ma non troppo
So I'm seeing Rach 3 this weekend (one of my favorite pieces ever..) and that may have subconsciously inspired the accompaniment texture of this miniature... It's a turbulent, roller-coaster ride that's as fun to play as it is to listen to! My favorite part of this piece is the “risoluto” D-flat major section! It was so much fun to write, and it just fills me to the brim with joy each time I play it. I had to bring it back at the end in the parallel major (B-flat major)—it provides a positive feeling of hope to a piece that started out so grimly. By the way, this was the piece of the set I composed last!
IV. Prelude: Presto
A very playful interlude, this piece plays on delicate and interesting chords and subtle melodies. I'm not a huge Brahms fan, but I love the last movement of his second piano concerto and that probably comes through in the beginning melody! I also had a lot of fun writing the ending to this one, from the daring octave unison chords to the powerful double octaves that bring the piece to a close.”