Solos

The Mada & Hugh Piano Duo Podcast

In our duo concerts, we love to include solo piano works whenever possible. For our recent recital at St. Mark Lutheran Church in Clifton Heights, we had the opportunity to share works by Chinese composer Chen Xun Pei - “Autumn Moon Over Peaceful Lake” - and by Romanian composer Paul Constantinescu, "Dobrudjan Dance".

"Autumn Moon Over Peaceful Lake" is a beautiful and contemplative solo piano piece composed by Chen Xun Pei, a Chinese composer and pianist, who was born in Beijing in 1939. He began studying piano at a young age and later attended the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing. In 1961, he became a professor at the Conservatory and later served as the Chair of the Composition Department. He has composed a wide range of works, including orchestral, chamber, and vocal music, as well as works for piano and other solo instruments. The music is inspired by the tranquil beauty of nature, specifically the image of the moon shining over a peaceful lake in autumn. The piece is characterized by its gentle, flowing melody, delicate harmonies, and graceful rhythms, which create a serene and meditative atmosphere. It also incorporates elements of traditional Chinese music, such as pentatonic scales and ornamentation, which add a unique flavor to the composition. Overall, "Autumn Moon Over Peaceful Lake" is a captivating musical expression of the serene beauty of nature.

"Dobrudjan Dance" is a lively and energetic composition for solo piano by the Romanian composer, conductor, and musicologist Paul Constantinescu. He was born in Ploiești in 1909. He is known for his distinctive style of blending Romanian folk music with classical forms and techniques. He studied composition with some of the most prominent Romanian composers of the time, including Mihail Jora and Dimitrie Cuclin, and later taught at the Bucharest Conservatory. "Dobrudjan Dance" is based on traditional dance rhythms from Dobrudja, a historical region in eastern Romania known for its vibrant and colorful folk music. The music features fast and complex rhythms, virtuosic runs, and playful melodies that evoke the joy and vitality of traditional Romanian dance music. Constantinescu was known for his ability to blend elements of Romanian folk music with Western classical music, and "Dobrudjan Dance" is a prime example of this style. The piece is a popular choice for pianists and audiences alike, and its infectious rhythms and joyful spirit make it a crowd-pleaser.

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