Perniciosus - Solo Piano

Hello, hello.

After 2 years of keeping it in the closet, I decided to share it with you. And no, I'm not gay!

So, in 2004, I finished my MMus with distinction (yay), in composition. For the final portfolio, we had to write 25 minutes of music, give or take. I wrote 2 pieces, one of which is the one you will hear now.

While I listen to it now, I see many things that I would love to change, but still I would also fancy playing it live, but alas, I'm rusty, and it is damn difficult! Actually I was reminded of it, by the other thread about the most difficult piece you've come across..

www.nikolas-sideris.com/stuff/perniciosus.mp3 (8:38) (13MB)
www.nikolas-sideris.com/stuff/perniciosus.pdf

Perniciosus is Latin for the one who corrupts. It's a rather "angry" piece of music, I'd say. Utilising non repeated elements (yet again... :p)

The recording was done in less than a day, with Giga Piano, so it's nothing special really, but of course tons better than any midi. I apologise to anyone who would like a midi or Finale files, but I simply don't have them anymore.

Nikolas

Well thanks for sharing
It's obviously well written in lots of ways (although a little reliant on dissonance for my tastes).
I enjoyed the allegro section - good use of rhythm (although you're right... very difficult for the pianist)
I'd suggest to you that perhaps some of the 'transitions' were a little too sudden, and disjunct, but that may be what you wanted.

Good work (that gliss. at the end was the most tonal bit )

Nikolas,
I miss the sexy nurse!!! I also am not gay but whenever I think of you, I picture the hot nurse.

You have listened to my improvs, so you gotta know that I love this. You have got some beautiful textures and rhythms in this. I see a lot more though than just anger in this. Early in the piece I hear you speaking of lost loves and wonderfull adventures. I hear an apology in there as well. The apology is not accepted and you turn your back and begin to become angry. The last minute or so is accusatory and anger and anticipation and exstacy all rolled up in a neat package. Well done.

I might be by myself here, but when I hear dissonace like this, to me it becomes consonant. If you reach a place in music where you know the next note will be dissonant and you know exactly which note it HAS to be, to me that becomes consonant. You know of my lack of training, so what I have said may be common knowledge or might be considered totally wrong. It is just the way my ears work.
I am curious of the grade you received for this.

Thanks for sharing this.
Ron

Thanks Daniel The transitions (unless I misunderstood you), are probably due to the mediocre recording. I can imagine myself playing it with more... pauses and breathing points, etc. Especially the first "movement". Cheers though for listening and posting.

Ron: Thanks man. I miss the sexy nurse as well, but I'll be having my wife back in a week or so... so no harm done here! You can picture me any way you like. haha!

I knew you would enjoy this.

I didn't have anything in my mind, like you describe, as I don't work with stories, but more like ideas (at least until now), but you are right to the point to what you desdcribe in a matter of mood.

In the matter of dissonances, I've already told you that your instincts work, and you should trust your ears (as you already do). I think that there is much coherence and consistancy in this work, so after a while (after all it is 8:38 the track. almost 10 minutes), you do get used to the same "tricks" I use. And, I'm not sure if this is exactly common knowledge really. The fact is that whatever you do, if you use it enough times, it becomes... music. (in a broad sense, right? Don't fall on my back for what I've just said).

As for the grade, I got a distinction. And I'm pretty happy with it.

Oh my goodness. Why would anybody want to kill themselves trying to learn that

I jest. But, honestly, I said the same thing when I heard the Barber piano sonata. Upon listening to it again, I liked it even more. And the next time, more. It's not one of my favorite pieces, but I can appreciate it for what it is and admire it's qualities. I think your piece has the same effect.

Although a little more off of the tonal center, your piece reminded me a lot of the Prokofiev toccata (at least your faster second part did).

What an experience if this was ever to be performed live!

Always appreciate your compositions, Nikolas.

EDIT: Also, this piece distinctly reminds me of the Stravinsky quote where he treated the piano like a percussive instrument, because that's exactly what it is.

my god.. i don't belive in depressive music.. it's like selfdestructing.. br... not for me I can't say anything about the piece.. it has some harmony i guess.. but I don't hear it..

Rafn: Cheers mate.

When I first wrote it, I was hoping to play it myself. Then I just realised that it was far too difficult to learn in a coulpe of weeks. At least for me, and let down. But I do wish for someone to make a recording and video taking. I really had in mind this piece to be something of a "show off" from the pianist. And yes, I'll admit that I did have a bit of Prokofiev in mind when writing the 2nd part...

green minstrey:

my god.. i don't belive in depressive music.. it's like selfdestructing.. br... not for me I can't say anything about the piece.. it has some harmony i guess.. but I don't hear it..

I'm afrad I don't really follow.

I would never've imagined this piece to be depressive music! It's... exciting if nothing else. Selfdestructing, again why?

Not for you, no problem there.

And again, about the harmony, there is plenty of harmony going on, which really shows in the 1st part, but it's just not classical.

Bumpity bump!

I got a live recording of this! I can't post it right now, but the midi recording is there, for your pleasure!

I'm still editing the recording, so it's incomplete at the moment, that's all!

I don't even know what to say....

This is one of the most fascinating pieces of music I have ever heard. Extrememly exciting and energetic! Much to the music that I enjoy writing (not the style of course, but the intensity) and listening to. Your music is the future of music in my eyes!

Please teach me! I'll give you everything I have!!

*checks wallet*

*shit*

I'll study the score some more

Vince

nikolas, I love you. XD
You writte so well for every insstrumentation I've heard you use, and I'm sure there's a great deal of pieces I haven't heard by you. :p As for the piece (lol,) it strikes me in that it doesn't really remind me of anyone else's style, really. Some of your earlier pieces give me a bit of a Bartok vibe, or Stravinsky (Igor!! XD,) but this piece is all your own. (Not to say that the others aren't, but I just feel like this piece is further away from other styles.) It has a very exciting rhythmic pulse to it, but still has some of the dark coloring that I like to hear in a piece. (The latter is more a matter of taste, lol.) The harmony is beautiful, and it's refreshing to see something in the piano section that's not quite as consonant as some of the other pieces posted. This is my favorite piece so far in the piano section, and one of my favorites on the site in general. Good job!!