Shibata, Minao : Improvisation I No. 20
Work Overview
Instrumentation：Piano Solo
Genre：character pieces
Copyright：Under Copyright Protection
Commentary (2)
Author : Nakatsuji, Maho
Last Updated: April 20, 2018
[Open]
Author : Nakatsuji, Maho
Minao Shibata left several works titled "Improvisation." This piano solo piece, bearing the opus number 20, was composed and premiered in 1957. According to Shibata, it is "a short piece with a lighthearted mood," and the title signifies "free improvisation on a tone row."
The way chords are sounded, including dynamics and striking speed, determines the character of this work. Shibata finds the essence of "a pianist's individual tone color" in the timbre of chords. He states, "The speed at which the hammer springs up through a 4.8 cm space, and the energy at the moment of striking the string, subtly differ for each note in, for example, a six-note chord (say, three notes with each hand), and these differences manifest as variations in the pianist's tone color" (from Ongaku no Rikai [Understanding Music], Seidosha, 1978, p. 183).
The score for Improvisation No. 1 for Piano is included in Sekai Dai Ongaku Zenshu: Kigaku-hen Vol. 60: Nihon Piano Meikyokushu 2 (Ongaku no Tomo Sha, 1960).
It begins with Lento (♪=ca. 56) but reaches Molto vivace (♪=ca. 392) at the end, with several tempo changes. Its diverse expressions are characteristic; for instance, even with the same staccato, there are whispering pp staccatos, resolute bouncing notes, and single-note tenuto-staccatos. While enjoying a variety of timbres, how rests are handled is also crucial in this work. If one can "sing" the rests, this piece can be made to pulsate dynamically.
Author : Nakatsuji, Maho
Last Updated: April 20, 2018
[Open]
Author : Nakatsuji, Maho
Minao Shibata: Improvisation No. 1 for Piano, Op. 20
Minao Shibata left some works called improvisation. Among others, this piano solo piece, given the work number 20, was composed and played for the first time in 1957. Shibata mentioned this work is an easygoing short piece and the title means free improvisation of serialism.
How its harmony sounds, along with dynamics and string striking speed, decide the character of this piece. Shibata found that individual tone of sounds each pianist creates lays in a tone color of the chords. He said, the passage speed of hammer leaped up into the space in 4.8cm and the energy of the instantaneous string beating, both make the sound different each time. For example, the difference six chords (suppose that three keys are played in each hand) make can present the difference of the sound performed by each pianist.
The score for “Improvisation No. 1 for piano” was included in “the World Music Collection, Instrumental music section, Vol. 60”. This piece starts at Lento and changes its speed many times and end at molto Vivace.
This piece is characterized by various musical expression, for instance, staccatos like a whisper in ‘pp’ and lofty jumping staccatos and a single tenuto staccato, even though these are all the staccatos, it has so much of variety. We can enjoy the various tones in this piece, and if you pay attention to the treatment of the rest in a songful way, you will be able to perform this piece in a lively way.