Études transcendantes (Sorabji)

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The 100 Études transcendantes by Kaikhosru Shapurji Sorabji (KSS66) are a series of 100 solo piano studies written between 1940 and 1944. They vary greatly in style, character, and length, with the shortest running about a minute and the longest running approximately 45 minutes. As with most of Sorabji's works, the vast majority of these were not published or premiered during the composer's lifetime. According to the Sorabji Archive, many of the etudes have yet to be recorded or publicly performed.[1]

Description

Sorabji almost certainly intended for these Études to be compared with Franz Liszt's Transcendental Études. The style and sound of 100 Études transcendantes is typical of Sorabji's works, consisting of atonal melodies, dissonant harmonies, complex polyrhythms, rapid changes in texture and mood, and extreme technical challenges for the pianist to work through. However, individually taken, these are some of the shortest pieces of music Sorabji ever composed. A (currently incomplete) list of etudes is included below (world premiere pianists and dates from The Sorabji Archive):

Number Title Duration Premiere artist Premiere date Notes
1 Mouvemente 1:55 Yonty Solomon 9/30/1979 An opening theme is presented and then repeated in multiple keys, inversions, and voices. Somewhat reminiscent of the opening of Chopin's 24 Preludes, Op. 28
2 Vivace e leggiero 1:12 Carlo Grante 7/20/1995 Rapid jumps in both hands alternating between high and low notes meander up and down the keyboard in unison
3 (no marking) 4:19 Carlo Grante 3/24/2000 A wistful melody moves slowly around the keyboard, containing many expressive passages and rich harmonies
4 (Scriabinesco) 2:57 Carlo Grante 10/18/1998 As the marking indicates, this study evokes a mood reminiscent of Scriabin's late works, with a soft, expressive melody and harmonies reminiscent of Scriabin's works built around his "mystic chord"
8 (no marking) 1:59 Fredrik Ullén 2/15/2003 The right hand plays thirds in ascending and descending scales while the left hand accompanies with chords and countermelodies; the mood is contemplative
10 Con brio ed impeto - Volante 3:12 Yonty Solomon 9/30/1979 An intense, fiery etude consisting of rapidly ascending and descending arpeggios (some mirrored between the hands) underpinned by sharply dissonant chords.
13 (no marking) 3:35 Fredrik Ullén 2/15/2003 Another piece evoking Scriabin, beginning with groups of three note pairs in chromatic scales that move slowly and tremblingly up and down, developing into larger structures but with the underlying tremolo texture consistent throughout
19 Saltando e leggiero 2:15 Carlo Grante 6/2/1996 As the name implies, this etude consists of clusters of four notes in both hands which require the pianist to "jump" up and down the keyboard rapidly
20 Con fantasia 5:27 Fredrik Ullén 7/9/2003 This nocturne-like slower etude consists of a melody in the right hand with wispy, complex rhythms against simple arpeggios and chords in the left hand
36 Mano sinistra sempre sola 7:22 Nicola Ventrella 11/20/1999 A two-part etude for the left hand alone, the first part consisting of a warm, expressive melody with typically complex harmonies, the second consisting of a technically challenging one-handed fugue with some voices in two- and three-note chords in parts
75 Passacaglia. Largo 26:00 Fredrik Ullén 8/17/2003 A passacaglia with 100 variations, a microcosm of the entire series of 100 etudes
99 Quasi fantasia. Scorrevole 17:00 Kentaro Noda 4/1/2006 An expansion on the fantasia from J. S. Bach’s Chromatic Fantasia and Fugue in D minor, BWV 903
100 Coda-finale. Fuga a cinque soggetti 38:50 Kentaro Noda 4/1/2006 The longest of the 100 etudes, this is a quintuple fugue which develops five themes extensively

References