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Work

Half moon prelude : for solo piano

by Elena Kats-Chernin (2004)

Score Sample

View a sample of the score of this work

Audio Sample

Performance by Katie Zhukov from the CD Ragtime, dreams & visions

Selected products featuring this work — Display all products (2 more)

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Work Overview

One day in January 2004 I got a distressed phone call from a friend who was teaching at a Music Camp about a sudden passing of a very talented young double bass player Henry Jacono. I was so touched by this and the emotions that I knew that the family would be going through. Somehow I immediately got this musical ostinato idea that would not let go until I wrote it and it became a piece for Henry, whom I never met, but I met some of his family later on and asked them if it was fine with them if I dedicated the piece to him, to which they thankfully gave a permission. I happened to have a commission from Alexander Boyd for a piano solo piece at the time and so he premiered it beautifully at his recital in Sydney.


While I writing the piece, I found myself drawn to the image of the moon and the motion of waves and those qualities seemed to form the piece.
When I finished writing it was clear to me that there were co-incidental references to Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata which also is in C sharp minor. The figure at the opening of the piece (especially the bluesy melody in the low register) reminded me of a the shape of a crescent moon hence the title "Half Moon Prelude".

Work Details

Year: 2004

Instrumentation: Piano.

Duration: 4 min.

Difficulty: Advanced — AMEB Grade A.Mus.A

Dedication note: In memory of Henry

Commission note: Commissioned by Alexander Boyd.

Subjects

Performances of this work

7 May 2023: at Kismet: Vignettes for Violin and Piano (Blue Mountains Theatre). Featuring Vov Dylan, Clemens Leske.

13 Jul 2022: at Kismet: Vignettes For Violin and Piano (Sydney Opera House, Utzon Room). Featuring Vov Dylan, Clemens Leske.

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