Sergei Bortkiewicz was a Ukranian composer, whose style resembled that of Chopin and Rachmaninov. That said his compositions have many unique traits that makes his music the way it is. In this set we get to see his later more mature musical style.
00:00 1. Warum? (Why?)
The first piece is a short lament. It is in my opinion the saddest of the six.
01:50 2. Ein Traum (A Dream)
This is the most recorded piece of the set. And that is for a good reason. The very melancholic theme is very light, like a nocturne. I guess that makes sense, as the piece pretty much is a nocturne. It's a clear example of Bortkiewicz own style, as that is heard in the melody, harmony and everything in between.
04:15 ...und das Erwachen (...and the Awakening)
The third piece is in my opinion the most fanstastical of the "Fantasiestücke" (fantasy pieces). It sounds very movie-like, in a way that much of Bortkiewicz' music does. This fits the piece's title, as well as the categorization of "Fantasy Piece".
08:01 Humoreske
The beggining of this piece is indeed humorous, with the staccato in both the right and left hands, but later it turns something much more beautiful than what one would be able to imagine from the first few bars, whilst still retaining a slightly humorous sound.
10:18 Sie Tanzt (She Dances)
This is very romantic-sounding waltz. The waltz theme is heard through a number of variations, until finally ending on a sort of jazzy F# Major 6th chord.
12:29 Serenade
The last piece of the set begins with a bell-like figure in the right hand. This pattern is then developed for a bit until the introduction of the wistful waltz that occupies most of the middle section. The last section reverts to the first theme until finally the piece, and there by the whole set, ends with the sound of distant bells.
I'm happy for there to finally be recordings of the entire set available on the internet. These recordings are done by Slawomir Wilk, and I find them quite well and tasteful.
2 май 2024
