Gargoyles

Description

Piano — The set of four piano pieces entitled Gargoyles were commissioned by the Tcherepnin Society for pianist Eric Himy on the occasion of his 1989 Alice Tully Hall recital.I have long been fascinated by gargoyles and such ornamental grotesqueries.xa0 In this case the title Gargoyles is meant not in any programmatic way, but to indicate sharply drawn character sketches of a somewhat grotesque or morbid nature.xa0 The four pieces are actually highly contrasting etudes: the first, a devilishly difficult study in double-notes; the second, legato octaves above an ostinato; the third, legato melody with inner figuration divided between the two hands; and lastly, another fiendishly difficult study, an endurance test in double-notes, octaves and leaps.Gargoyles has been recorded by Stephen Hough for Virgin Classics, and by Michael Boriskin for New World Records. A striking work calling for the full dynamic range of the piano. Commissioned by the Tcherepnin Society. Dedicated to Eric Himy. First performed on October 14th, 1989 at Alice Tully Hall in New York City by Eric Himy.