Widmann's Intermezzi: Brahms - but different!

The new edition of the Intermezzi for piano by Jörg Widmann is now available in the Edition Schott series (ED 21017). The work received its premiere performance in Summer 2011 at the Salzburg Festival with pianist András Schiff.

Inspired by Brahms’ famous cycles Op. 116 to Op. 119, which Widmann quotes frequently in his work, the mysterious longing associated with the Intermezzi continues in the five contrasting movements exclusively on the keys of the piano.

Beginning with a brief, slowly illuminating introduction the work fades into the soft singing of the second part. The subsequent dark and rumbling severity in the centre of the work is then followed by two calm movements; the lullaby and the final lento un poco andante, which accentuate the contrasting structure of Widmann's works.

The Intermezzi, which owe their title to the composer’s fascination for the 'intermediate' of individual sounds, are for the discerning pianist that wants to expand their repertoire using an extraordinary work from an extraordinary composer.
 

1. Sample pages, further details and shopping opportunity
2. Jörg Widmann - Profile