Fangting Liu Recital Program Notes

Program Notes: Piano Sonata Op.27, No.2 Beethoven's Piano Sonata Op.27, No.2, also known as the "Moonlight Sonata," is one of the most famous and beloved piano sonatas in the classical repertoire. The sonata consists of three movements.

The first movement is perhaps the most recognizable, with its hauntingly beautiful melody and flowing arpeggios in the left hand. It is marked "Adagio sostenuto," which means slow and sustained. This movement is often associated with the moonlight, hence the nickname "Moonlight Sonata."

The second movement, marked "Allegretto," is more playful and dance-like in character. It provides a contrast to the first movement and gives the listener a moment of respite before the stormy final movement.

The third movement, marked "Presto agitato," is a virtuosic tour-de-force for the pianist. It is full of energy and intensity, with fast runs and sudden dynamic changes. It provides a thrilling conclusion to the sonata.

Etude Op.8, No.5 Alexander Scriabin's 12 Etudes, Op. 8, is a set of virtuosic and expressive piano works that showcase the composer's unique style and technique.The set was composed in 1894-95, when Scriabin was in his mid-twenties. It was his first published work and established his reputation as a composer.

Each etude is a self-contained musical piece, ranging in length from one to five minutes.

They are characterized by rapid fingerwork, complex harmonies, and innovative use of chromaticism and dissonance.

The etudes are not arranged in a specific key order, but they are grouped according to their technical and expressive challenges. For example, the first four etudes are often played together as a set because they are all in fast tempo and require nimble fingerwork.

The etude No.5 is marked "Allegro moderato" and is in the key of E major. It is characterized by a rapid and flowing right-hand melody accompanied by broken chords in the left hand.

At the same time, the etude is also deeply expressive, with moments of lyrical beauty and poignant emotion. Scriabin was known for his mystical and esoteric beliefs, and this piece reflects his interest in the spiritual and metaphysical aspects of music.

Dumka "Dumka" was composed by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky for piano in 1886. The word "Dumka" originates from the Ukrainian language, meaning "a thought" or "a reverie."

The composition is a set of variations on a Slavic folk theme that alternates between lively dance-like passages and moments of introspection and contemplation.

Tchaikovsky's "Dumka" is a unique work in the composer's repertoire, as it deviates from his usual grandiose and dramatic style. It is an intimate and expressive piece that showcases Tchaikovsky's skill in creating musical landscapes that evoke a range of emotions.

Of particular interest, "Dumka" is that Tchaikovsky was inspired by the traditional Ukrainian folk music that he encountered during a trip to Kyiv in 1885. He was struck by the beauty and sharpness of the music, which led him to incorporate Ukrainian and Russian folk elements into his composition. Another fascinating aspect of "Dumka" is that it reflects Tchaikovsky's personal struggles and emotional turmoil. The piece has been described as a musical representation of the composer's inner conflict between his desire for happiness and his tendency towards melancholy

Guitare, Op.32 Cécile Chaminade was a French composer and pianist who achieved considerable success in her lifetime, particularly in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Her family initially discouraged her from pursuing a career in music. Still, she eventually gained the support of influential musicians and patrons and became one of the most popular and successful composers of her time. Chaminade's music is characterized by its elegance, charm, and melodic grace. She was particularly renowned for her character pieces for the piano, which often featured catchy melodies, lively rhythms, and colorful harmonies.

Guitare was first published in 1885. As the title suggests, Guitare is characterized by a guitar-like melody throughout the piece. This piece was inspired by the Spanish guitar. It not only has a delicate melody, but also the wild colors of Spanish music. Chaminade uses arpeggiation to imitate the sounds of strumming on the Guitar. The overall mood of the piece is light and cheerful.

Dreaming, Op.15 No.3 Amy Beach was an American composer and pianist, one of the first American women to achieve international recognition as a composer. After her marriage, she was only allowed to give two concerts yearly and had to donate all her proceeds to charity.

The title "Dreaming" suggests a dreamlike or reflective mood, and the music reflects this with its passive and contemplative character. The piece has a tagline, “You speak to me from the depths of dreams.”

One of the most striking features of Dreaming is its use of chromatic harmonies and subtle modulations, which create a sense of shifting tonalities and a dreamlike sense of fluidity. The harmonies are often lush and rich, with unexpected dissonances and poignant resolutions.

The piece reaches a climax in the middle section, where the melody becomes more intense and passionate, and the harmonies become more complex and dissonant. This section builds to a powerful climax before subsiding back into the gentle opening theme.

Piano Sonata No.7 in B-flat major, Op. 83 Prokofiev's experiences inspired this Sonata during World War II: Prokofiev wrote the Seventh Sonata while living in Perm, a city in the Ural Mountains of Russia, where he had been evacuated during the war. He began work on the Sonata in 1939 and completed it in 1942. The difficult living conditions and isolation in Perm influenced the mood and character of the Sonata, which is marked by a sense of urgency, restlessness, and emotional intensity. Some critics have interpreted the Seventh Sonata as a reflection of Prokofiev's personal life, particularly his strained relationship with his wife and his feelings of isolation and despair.

The first movement, Allegro inquieto, is in classical sonata form. The opening theme is very nervous and suspenseful. The rhythm of the second theme softened but does not break the tension. The second, Andante caloroso, is in E major. The opening melody is beautiful but dreary. However, the calm was short-lived and soon broken by dissonant intervals and chords, taking people from dreams to reality. The Precipitato finale, a toccata, is marked by its propulsive rhythm and intense energy. The left hand often repeats a pattern that creates a sense of urgency and restlessness.

Sviatoslav Richter (who premiered the Sonata) wrote: “We are brutally plunged into the anxiously threatening atmosphere of a world that has lost its balance. Chaos and uncertainty reign. We see murderous forces ahead. But this does not mean that what we lived by before thereby ceases to exist. We continue to feel and love. Now the full range of human emotions bursts forth. Together with our fellow men and women, we raise a voice in protest and share the common grief. We sweep everything before us, borne along by the will of victory. In the tremendous struggle that this involves, we find the strength to affirm the irrepressible life force.”