The Six Encores are six little pieces for solo piano written by Luciano Berio between 1966 and 1990.
The encores 1 to 4 are devoted to the four elements: water, earth, air, fire.
The Wasserklavier (water-piano) is about the water, not only in its nature but also in its symbolic meaning linked with the concept of hidden, submerged memories. So part of the material comes from Schubert’s Impromptu op. 142 # 1 and Brahms Intermezzo op. 117 # 2.
Erdenklavier (earth) explore the resonance of free strings created by holding down the keys for a long time and strong dynamic changes.
The Luftklavier (air) and the Feuerklavier (fire) evoke this ever changing elements by a speed movement of groups of notes.
Brin and Leaf are tha last two encores. This pieces explores the timbric extensions of the piano by a good work of sustain or sostenuto pedals and held notes.
I. Brin
II. Leaf
III. Wasserklavier
IV. Erdenklavier
V. Luftklavier
VI. Feuerklavier
Andrea Lucchesini, piano
trovo molto evocativa e quasi commovente erdenklavier, con quella melodia espulsa a forza e gli echi distanti, che rimbalzano forse su qualche roccia o ancora nelle viscere.
Ho ascoltato anche una bella trascrizione per chitarra di Brin da parte di E. Fisk, in cui l’aspetto etereo del pezzo è reso bene dall’uso degli armonici e l’armonia appare in tutta la sua spigolosità proprio per le caratteristiche timbriche della chitarra.