Muczynski: Masks, Op. 40

Description

A pianistic tour-de-force, commissioned by the Gina Bachouer Piano Competition of Brigham Young University and dedicated to the memory of Dr. H.D. Atwood, It is prefaced by a quote from Swift, "Harlequin without his mask is known to present a very sober countenance..." which hints at a piece that musically explores the dark edges of the commedia dell arte character, lacing with irony its contrasts of the cold, powerful majesty of the introduction with the whirling, giddy playfulness of the ensuing frenzied Allegro.