EIGHT ETUDES For Piano NED ROREM Boosey & HawkesProgram Notes My EIGHT ETUDES for solo piano form a series of problems, not the least of which is their contrast with each other. Thus they are conceived as a suite (indeed, the same thematic matter is flung about be- tween several, and number eight is a disguised medley of all the preceding ones), though eventually, I sup- pose, they may be played separately. The first is a study in loud contrary motion. The second, a study in softness. The third is for speed without pedal. The fourth, for sevenths. The fifth, slow tune with fast filigree. The sixth, quick fourths. The seventh, right hand alone. The last, parallel motion plus simultaneously conflicting rhythms. These features are too obvious for further comment except in talk between pianists differentiating the pieces (as, for instance, they speak ~ incorrectly — of Chopin’s double-third Etude), or to fill space for Pro- gram Notes. The “study” as a mode for one instrument is always impli ily far simpler than the simplest sonatina. EIGHT ETUDES, composed in Nantucket during the summer of 1975, represent my eighth piano work, previous ones being: First Sonata (1948), A Quiet Afternoon (1948), Second Sonata (1949), Barcarolles (1949), Second Concerto (1950), Third Sonata (1954), Concerto in Six Movements (1969). Performing Time: 20 minutesCommissioned by Emanuel Ax on a grant from the Edyth Bush Charitable Foundation, Inc., {for the Bicentennial Piano Series of the Wash- ington Performing Arts Society, and dedicated to the memory of Edyth Bush. The premiere, by pianist Emanuel Ax, took place in Kennedy Center, Washington, D. C., on March 13, 1976.EIGHT ETUDES for Piano NED ROREM ©Copyright 1977 by Boosey & Hawkes, Inc. (Copyright forall countries. All ight reserved, BPs. 261 Printed in U.S. A4% mp espr.mp espr. BPs 261BPs. 261More relaxed J =104 of+ Tomagin daisy (P sempre) BPs. 261BPa.261BPa. 261crese. sempre BPa.261Muted, motionless J=46 BPs, 261Very fast and not too wet =162 BP 261maf brittle BPs, 261Stow #40 126 Slow #-=40 tong smooth and distant = 2 a BPs. 26119 eresc, molto oe rat Jai Pr, a 2 | —wvr ——| P cresc. BPs. 26120 BPs. 261BPs. 26122 BPs, 261Plain J 66 Ba. 261 2324 &___senzamisura__ morendo hold with middle pedal BPs. 26125 Light and very fast d.= 162 J-= 76) (8) anne nn neem (non crese) LL tthe > (sempreP ] BPs, 26126 (sempre P) BPs. 26127 BPs. 261a \7 All with the right hand Without meter ‘Smooth and meandering and always expressivo \ Desa > ff, PI Filled with! pedal getting move agitated BPs. 261o hysterical = vail. sempre ditterly tranquil Ba. 261BPs. 261i See Ba. 26132 g---5 a BPs. 26133. Plant 4 =178 Delicate but sonorous aa Ba. 261da126 (gf sempre) BPa.26)38