Eric Craven: Pieces for Pianists, volume 1
For most of his life Eric Craven has kept a very low profile, concentrating on his teaching career and quietly developing his ‘non-prescriptive’ composing method, a sort of aleatory style but which allows the performer varying degrees of freedom. His earlier cycle of short pieces, ‘SET’, was recorded after Craven was persuaded by leading pianists to make his work available. Highly praised, that technique is shown again to great effect in the ‘Pieces for Pianists’, producing music that is varied, interesting, but perfectly accessible for listener and performer. The composer states that his hope is ‘to reward any pianist with even modest ability with immediate success’ while also providing a challenge to more accomplished pianists to explore new territory. The pianist says that this collection ‘will prove endlessly rewarding’.
Pieces for Pianists vol. 1 is published by Divine Art Edition (so is vol. 2 – buy the scores in PDF using the links below. To buy ready printed version go to Naxos Sheet Music.
Track Listing
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Eric Craven:
- Pieces for Piano - No. 1 (2:28)
- Pieces for Piano - No. 2 (2:16)
- Pieces for Piano - No. 3 (1:46)
- Pieces for Piano - No. 4 (4:01)
- Pieces for Piano - No. 5 (3:52)
- Pieces for Piano - No. 6 (2:18)
- Pieces for Piano - No. 7 (2:58)
- Pieces for Piano - No. 8 (2:56)
- Pieces for Piano - No. 9 (2:11)
- Pieces for Piano - No. 10 (3:44)
- Pieces for Piano - No. 11 (1:20)
- Pieces for Piano - No. 12 (2:11)
- Pieces for Piano - No. 13 (3:05)
- Pieces for Piano - No. 14 (2:11)
- Pieces for Piano - No. 15 (2:23)
- Pieces for Piano - No. 16 (2:32)
- Pieces for Piano - No. 17 (1:44)
- Pieces for Piano - No. 18 (2:06)
- Pieces for Piano - No. 19 (1:52)
- Pieces for Piano - No. 20 (4:49)
- Pieces for Piano - No. 21 (2:18)
- Pieces for Piano - No. 22 (4:24)
- Pieces for Piano - No. 23 (2:59)
- Pieces for Piano - No. 24 (4:28)
- Pieces for Piano - No. 25 (3:52)
Reviews
“Eric Craven is a composer who knows his own mind but doesn’t impose his own will. There are no key signatures and the performer can decide their own tempo, dynamics, phrasing, articulation and pedalling. Mary Dullea is a distinguished musician and recording artist who appreciates the freedom this gives but she’s keen to let the music speak for itself.
” —Robert Beale
“I found this recording to be an engaging, captivating, and charming experience from start to finish. Dullea plays the music with clarity, sensitivity of phrasing, and an admirably rich palette of colors, all captured in first-rate sound. A fine recording, one that makes me look forward to hearing Volume Two.
” —Ken Meltzer
“Quirky and upbeat, mesmerizing works… true artistic alchemy.
” —Stephanie Boyd
“25 miniature gems. The pieces revel in the sheer pleasure of their sounding. The music evokes with a bright, vivacious charm. Happily the pianist rises to the challenge and gives us the kind of poetic, interpretive readings that Maestro Craven no doubt appreciates. This one is a lot of fun. Do not miss it. Hurrah!
” —Grego Edwards
“Adventurous music and album concept. Each of the 25 pieces has its individual charm and miniaturist precision, by turns reflective, ethereal, authoritative and questioning. Mary Dullea’s pianism and musicality as well as remarkable virtuosity make her an ideal interpreter of Eric Craven’s joyous, playful and satisfying music.
” —John Pitt
