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Moritz Eggert:
One-Man Band
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| from: Hämmerklavier (1993) |
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| Instrumentation: piano (also to be used as a percussion instrument) |
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| Categories:
Suspense
Highway
Band
Piano
Confusion
Encore!
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| Description: |
'Hämmerklavier' is a full-evening cycle for solo piano which was started in 1995 and has been steadily continued until today.
The title does not allude to a pianoforte or even to the Hammerklavier Sonata by Beethoven (though the latter is not an entirely unintentional 'tribute') but to a certain manner of playing on the interpreter's part. Here, the piano is not just an instrument - it is a vis-ā-vis; the pianist not just pushes keys but is a 'performer' in a broader sense. The degree of virtuosity or, to be more precise, of intensity required in these pieces is very high. It is virtually impossible for the interpreter to approach the pieces neutrally. He has to be able to reveal a lot of himself in his interpretation, caricature his pianistic skills, so to speak, and demonstrate their absurdity.
It is precisely at the bounds of the funny, childish and ridiculous where, for me, interesting music happens.
Hämmerklavier III, 'One Man Band', is pushing a merciless beat which is driven to more and more absurd spheres by striking all conceivable parts of the instruments and thanks to the full body action of the interpreter. The piece's appeal comes from the combination of almost techno-like beats with a strict texture which persistently refuses both the clichés of New Music and far too much seriousness.
(Text: Moritz Eggert)
CD: Moritz Eggert, piano - WERGO WER 66112
Click here to buy this CD in the Schott Shop
Click here to buy the sheet music edition in the Schott Shop |
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