For Ever
for two pianos
(2000)
duration: 4’
GRT • 066
CD available
Mercurial
Patrick
Lawrence, Hildy Essex (pianos)
Reed Music
audio sample
score
available from
Australian Music
Centre
program note
The title of this
piece deliberately separates ‘forever’ into its two
constituent parts: not because the meaning is radically
different, but to underline its implications. We use the
word in phrases like ‘forever and a day’ which is, of
course, a contradiction of terms. What do we really mean
when we refer to something or someone for eternity?
Musically, the piece attempts to exploit a 'stereo' effect
of two pianos, both in conventionally antiphonal phrases,
where one piano clearly answers the other, but also in
closely dovetailed hocket relationship. In addition to
this, the piece has other musical challenges for the
'ensemble', including non-aligned barlines which still
share a common pulse.
The piece was commissioned by MLC school, Sydney for its
Australian Music Weekend, and received its official
premiere in Sofia, Bulgaria for the 5th international
ppIANISSIMO festival in March 2001.