Six Pieces

1. Intermezzo
2. Scherzo
3. Elegy*
4. March
5. Intermezzo
6. Nocturne

Six Pieces is dedicated to Michael Esch.

*Arranged for string orchestra as Elegy for Strings.

Audio Samples (mp3)

Performers: *Jean Desmarais / **Michael Esch

Program Notes

The Ottawa Citizen described the first Intermezzo as "reminiscent of Chopin and Fauré with a light polytonal accent". The other Intermezzo is similarly romantic in tone, but expect contrast in the rest: crunchy dissonance in the furious Scherzo; stark lines in the Elegy; fugato in the strident March; and an effervescent Nocturne. Although each piece is self-contained, the set follows a carefully planned narrative and tonal arc.

Performances

• Nov 22, 2008—Michael Esch
  Robert Rival Doctoral Recital, U of T
• Oct 31, 2007—Michael Esch
  Royal Conservatory of Music (Toronto)
• [Nos.1-3] Aug 31, 2007—M.Esch
  Rice University (Houston, TX)
• [No.1] Jun 11, 2006—CBC Radio 2 broadcast
  "Music Around Us" (Keith Horner)
• [No.1] Mar 20-21, 2006—Jean Desmarais
  Maxwell's Bistro "New Music in New Places" (Ottawa Chamber Music Society)

Reviews

"Other pieces of interest included Robert Rival's piano Intermezzo in A-flat [No.1 from Six Pieces], a work reminiscent of Chopin and Fauré with a light polytonal accent."
— Richard Todd (Ottawa Citizen)

Complete Audio & Score

Open the SECURE PAGE to download the complete recording (mp3) and score (pdf). You will need an assigned user name and password. To request access, or to obtain a printed copy of the score, contact Robert Rival.