Poddubny S. Comp. Piano Miniatures of the European Composers of the XX–XXI

A piano miniature is, as is known, the favorite genre of European composers. During the age of romanticism, it established one of the two main evolutionary paths of the musical art, the path that was opposite to that of other artists striving for polysynthesism in their pieces. The depth of contents and feeling in a miniature is comparable in its magnitude to the onmiembracement of the greatest concepts a composer may think of. And, as evidenced by the works of XIX century geniuses, both tendencies can well conjoin in one piece. 

The position of a miniature in the core of the creative process attracted authors seeking self-expression in a concentered moment. A miniature attracts performers as well with the chance in gives them to discover the spaciousness of a musical moment — lyrically spontaneous, impulsive, unaffected, artistically graceful, ironic or utterly bold. For a musician, especially a young one, with the ability to express oneself or understanding of the author’s style it nurtures the culture of feelings and the art of communication through music. All that makes creation of a piano miniature very valuable.

In this collection, the generous hand of the compiler cast a number of reflections of the great XX century authors and our contemporaries. The very acquaintance with the names presented by Sergey Poddubny in this chrestomathy brings performers and listeners closer to the music culture of the recent past. With their fresh melodies, sharp rhythm, unusual patterns and picturesque images, the pieces collected train the taste of a young pianist anew. They free students’ minds and their perception from the inertia of traditional classical school repertoire which has long ago been renewed and brought to the modern by the very evolution of musical art. The pieces presented in Sergey Poddubny’s collection make the sonic world of a child and a teenager wider, enriching their spiritual experience.

The Sergey Poddubny’s chrestomathy will be of colleague and friendly help to piano teachers many of whom like to vivify their teaching repertoire for their students with unknown or little known pieces. The search of Sergey Poddubny resulted in great finds — compositions able to solve various pedagogical and methodical tasks. 

Teachers and students will undoubtedly turn to that collection and be grateful to its compiler who carefully and thoughtfully picked the XX and XXI century pieces for teachers and performers.

Lyudmila Kovnatskaya,
Honored Art Worker of Russia,
Doctor of Arts,
Professor of the Saint-Petersburg N. A. Rimsky-Korsakov
State Conservatory (Academy),
Leading researcher at Saint-Petersburg Institute of Arts’ History,
Member of the Saint-Petersburg Composers Union
and Russian Federation Composers Union,
Member of International Music Society (IMS) Directory,
Head of Regional IMS association

Contents:

C. Debussy. GIRL WITH THE FLAXEN HAIR. From the cycle “Preludes for Piano” (Music text example)
J. Sibelius. IMPROMPTU
A. Schoenberg. SIX LITTLE PIANO PIECES
B. Bartók. DAWN
N. Myaskovsky. TUNE
K. Szymanowski. MAZURKA. From “Polish Dances”
J. Turina. MARCH. From the suite “Children Garden”
A. Casella. GRAZIOSO. Memory about Chopin
A. Webern. PIECE
S. Prokofiev. MARCH
D. Milhaud. BRAZILIAN DANCE
F. Lazǎr. DANCE
P. Hindemith. INTERLUDE. From the cycle “Ludus Tonalis”
F. Poulenc. NOCTURNE № 4 “Phantom Ball”
H. Eisler. PIECE
G. Auric. SARABANDE. From the “Little Suite”
P. Vladigerov. NOTHERN SONG
D. Shostakovich. RECITATIVE. From the cycle “Aphorisms”
O. Messiaen. QUIET COMPLAINT. From the cycle “Ten Preludes”
E. Suchoň. HAWK HAS COME
W. Lutoslawski. KRAKOW MELODY
B. Britten. WALTZ № 4. From the cycle “Five Waltzes”
G. Kurtág. FURIOUS GIRL WITH THE FLAXEN HAIR
S. Slonimsky. ELEGY TO THE MEMORY OF SIBELIUS
V. Pleshak. IN THE FOREST
A. Dergachyov. POCO NOSTALGI (Music text exampe)
A. Dergachyov. MOON GLADE
G. Korchmar. SUITE “IN HONOUR OF ARNOLD SHOENBERG”
   I. Marcia
   II. Valzer
   III. Gavotto
   IV. Tarantella
S. Poddubny. TWO PRELUDES
S. Poddubny. DEDICATION