Lullaby. Edmonton Symphony Orchestra: "A Concert for New York" (2013). 2014 Western Canadian Music Awards nominee for Classical Recording of the Year.Purchase.
Performances by Michael Esch, 2007. Posted with kind permission of the artist.
1. Intermezzo
2. Scherzo
3. Elegy
4. March
5. Intermezzo
6. Nocturne
Complete Video
Irene Huang, piano
recorded Jun. 30, 2020
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
[No.4] Nov 14, 2011—Frédéric Lacroix
Café Paradiso "Contemporary Revolution" (Ottawa New Music Creators)
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)
"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, from his blog post on the complete set.
Score Perusal and Purchase
For score perusal or purchase, contact Robert Rival.
