| Instrumentation: | piano |
| Duration: | 16' |
| Year Composed: | 2007 |
| Dedication: | to Michael Esch |
| Movements: |
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| Notes: | The complete set is included in the Royal Conservatory of Music Piano Syllabus (ARCT level) since 2015.
*Arranged for string orchestra as Elegy for Strings. |
Performances by Michael Esch, 2007. Posted with kind permission of the artist.
1. Intermezzo
2. Scherzo
3. Elegy
4. March
5. Intermezzo
6. Nocturne
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.
—R.R.
“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
“The third piece is an absolutely gut-wrenching Elegy. This is Rival at his best: intensely poetic harmony and textural tapestry giving way to moments of exquisite lyricism.”
—Michael Esch, The Musical Blog
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