Niche / Nourish / Niche-Xon

Continuous music for 2 pianos, full length recorded at the Banff National Centre for the Arts, 1988. A shower of continuous sound from two pianos. Originally, this was a short work of only one movement - it was commissioned by The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation in 1987 - but, as often is the case, this time-frame proved to be too small for all the related musical thoughts that flowered out of this first section… and the piece quickly grew into a full 3-movement work lasting nearly one hour. This is a complete performance of the entire 2-piano work, ie. this recording is the way Melnyk recorded it in Banff, 1989. It was a difficult decision whether to break up the master tape into 2 or 3 sections so that the listener could jump to any section they wished. It was finally decided to release this CD just as it was recorded in its full ”pure” performance. Those who wish, may specially order, at reduced price, a copy of this piece in 3 sections, with fade-outs, etc.

This is one of Melnyk's ”happier” works, sometimes quite sunlit and airy - one sometimes even gets a feeling of flying lightly through the clouds. At other times, it can feel tragic and lamenting. It is certainly a piece that offers a multitudinous array of flourishing and abstract landscapes that flow continuously before the listener. Each section, or movement, is able to exist on its own, ie. you can perform the piece with 1, or 2 or all 3 of the movements. It can also stand as a solo-piano work, without the added dimension of the second piano. This also produces an interesting and fully pleasing result … this can be of interest for other pianists who wish to try this piece, or parts of it ! and for anyone who might want to hear how this piece sounds ”cut in half”, ie. the first part alone, a special recording featuring just the solo Piano -A- part is also available ... please contact Bandura Records for these ”Solo” versions of this piece and other recordings by Lubomyr Melnyk.

Instruments

Double Piano

Musicians

Lubomyr Melnyk (Pianos)

Total Playtime

60 minutes

Year

1988

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