Khachaturian, Aram : Children's Album I Birthday Party
Work Overview
Genre:pieces
Total Playing Time:1 min 50 sec
Copyright:Under Copyright Protection
Commentary (2)
Author : Sugiura, Nanako
Last Updated: March 11, 2024
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Author : Sugiura, Nanako
The opening four measures sound like a fanfare, and the dance begins from the fifth measure. For the left hand, it is important to carefully sustain the notes firmly, especially the tenuto on the first beat. In particular, in measure 5, the accented D-flat in the right hand clashes with the E in the left hand, creating a dissonance; listen carefully to this sonority. The crescendo in measures 11-12 should also reach its full extent by the end of measure 12, and then, if played as if suddenly pulled back in measure 13, it will create a contrast appropriate to the style of this piece. Although this piece has a charming theme, Birthday Party, the fervent passion of a folk tradition is expressed throughout. For example, in measures 29-32, all notes in the left hand have accents; it is advisable to sustain the notes firmly and play each note with a clear accent without becoming light. In the marcato section starting from measure 37, the left hand descends, ascends, and descends in two-measure units. If you crescendo gradually within these units, I believe you can naturally reach the f in measure 43 in a way that utilizes the motif. The same applies to the four measures from measure 47. And now, as it approaches the climax, from measure 52, the same phrase is repeated persistently multiple times, and the intensity rapidly builds. With this surging excitement, as if one's blood is boiling, the piece finally reaches the chromatic hemiola section in measure 61.
Author : Ooi, Kazurou
Last Updated: June 17, 2024
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Author : Ooi, Kazurou
Learners should first understand the musical language of the composer Khachaturian, and to do so, they need to listen to many of his other works. The author hopes that they will definitely listen to his orchestral works. These are, in a sense, percussive, raw, large-scale, and consistently dramatic works. His work is also used at the beginning of the film "Aliens 2." Furthermore, he actually has a great many piano works, most of which are little known.
The author has released a CD compiling Khachaturian's piano works, which serves as a suitable resource for learning his musical language. Several pieces are excerpted from "Pictures of Childhood," which includes "Birthday Party." Unfortunately, this particular piece is not included, but it is still very useful for understanding his style.
Although his piano works may appear modest at first glance, they are pieces that should be approached only after thoroughly studying aspects such as:
- Possessing a wide dynamic range.
- Not always being refined, but sometimes exhibiting percussive and raw aspects.
- Incorporating folk music elements.
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