Cinc peces breus

The first version of this cycle was written was an attempt to free myself to a certain extent from the tonal discipline that up to then had predominated in my way of composing. It was not my intention to be revolutionary but to experiment to what extent I could compose without relying on tonal formulations. The 1979 revision consisted of eliminating thematic reiterations, outlining the idea of the pieces and completely reelaborating the fifth piece.
The Five Brief Pieces was first performed in 1980 by Liliana Maffiotte and since than they have been frequently interpreted by several pianists. The contents and the ideas behind the cycle vary widely and partly tries to make some reflections on my reading of the Mikrokosmos by B. Bartok, Ludus Tonalis by P. Hindemith as well as the work of Mompou. In a certain sense the first and last of the five pieces may be considered as an interplay of expressive contrasts. The second is an invention of an atonic character. The third is an kind of anti-romantic waltz, that expresses my admiration for the music oflgor Stravinsky, while the fourth piece is the simple evocation of the night with its murmurs and fading sonority.
At the same time it must be said the with exception of the Invenció, the rest of the pieces have constituted the basis for some of my orchestral works.

F. Taverna-Bech