Peter Seabourne
Transcript of Peter Seabourne
1
9
13
20
25
33
37
40
47
51
57
61
67
70
82
Flying Machines
Sixty Beggars
Old Man with Water Studies
Study of a Woman’s Hands
The Kite of the Cradle
Tank
Polishing Imperfections in Glass
A Moth to the Light
Perspectives of Disappearance
La Scapigliata
The Existence of Nothingness
The Impossibility of Perpetual Motion
Lenses for Looking at the Moon
Study of a Deluge
This is the Way Birds Descend
The pieces in this collection were written as a cycle; however, performers are free to play individual ‘books’, or
indeed to select as they chose from among them. They were inspired by a visit to Vinci, birthplace of Leonardo.
Though titled after his designs, studies, paintings and writings, they are not intended as musical evocations or
'translations'; rather as “imaginings” of the internal joys, frustrations, inspirations and dreams that might have
accompanied his creative processes.
This, the second volume in a series, forms part of an ongoing project that is open ended. It is dedicated to the
young pianist whose playing rekindled my compositional spark, and to whom I will always be deeply indebted.
Book IBook IBook IBook I
I
II
III
IV
V
Book IIBook IIBook IIBook II
VI
VII
VIII
IX
X
Book IIIBook IIIBook IIIBook III
XI
XII
XIII
XIV
XV
Peter Seabourne
StepsVolume 2
An second anthology of music for piano
Studies of Invention
Surging Surging Surging Surging q.=60-66.=60-66.=60-66.=60-66
Studies of Invention
Book I
I. Flying Machines
Peter SeabourneAugust 2006 - February 2007
Piano
3
9
13
3
3
3
3
3
3 3 3
5 5
3
3
3
mfmolto
mfmolto
5:6 3 3 3
1
31
33
36
39
43
mf
[D]
3 3 3 3 3 3
3 3 3 3
3 3
3
3
[B] [B]
3
3
3
33
[D]
3 3
3 3
3 3
mf
3 3 3 3 3
5 5 5:6
p
mf p3 3 3 3
3rd Ped. 3rd Ped. 3rd Ped.
5 5:6
4
48
53
57
62 rather enigmaticrather enigmaticrather enigmaticrather enigmatic
70
mp
3
5:6 3 3 5
3
5:6 3 5:6
mf
f
5:6
5:6
3
3
3
33
3
mf mp
5:6
5 5:65:6
3
3 3
mp
5:6
3 5:6
5:6
3 33 3 3 3
3
3 3
33
5
75
79
84
89
92
3 p3
3 ppp
3 3 5
5 5:6
mp
3
[R.H.]
[R.H.]
3 3 3 3
mp
3mf f
[R.H.]
[R.H.] 3 35
3
3
3 3 3 3 3 3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3 mf3 3 5 3
3
5:6
3
3
3
3
3
3
6
107
115
117
accel. accel. accel. accel.
119
f
3 33 3 3
ff
3 3 3 3 3 3 3
ff
3rd Ped.
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
8
Melancholy Melancholy Melancholy Melancholy q = 48 = 48 = 48 = 48
II. Sixty Beggars
Piano
5
9
12
p
pp
3
pp
mp
5
5
9
14
16
18
19
21
f intense
3
5
3
3
3
3
5
5 3 5
rubato will be necessary to allow for the spread chords. These should be
started on the beat, delaying the melodic line for the minimum time possible.
ff
5 5
5
5
[B]
5 53
3
35
[A]
3
10
smudgedsmudgedsmudgedsmudged34
38
42
44
In this system each stave's accidentals are independent viz. there are no 'reminders' between staves
less than the top stave
mp
3
5:6
p
p
mp
6 5 3
( )
p
12
Maestoso Maestoso Maestoso Maestoso e = 152 = 152 = 152 = 152
III. Old Man with Water Studies
Piano
5
9
f (non troppo)
molto legato 5 5 3
*
5
5 3
5 3
5
5 3
5
5 3
* Phrasing is not copied between staves where identical, to avoid clutter. It should be in broad sweeps and not over fussily subdivided into irregular beat groups:
the effect intended is of a slightly imperfectly moving large object, not of "danciness". A certain amount of rubato will be required to allow for the faster moving inner
parts. Thus absolute tempo and rhythmic accuracy are to be subordinate to the sense of massiveness and melodic line.
5 3
5
5 3
13
27
30
33
36
3
3
3
3
cresc. poco a poco
[B, C#]
cresc. poco a poco
3
3
3
3
3
3
più cresc.
più cresc.
It is realised that it will not always be possible physically to hold the melody notes
in this passage, fingers being required for the faster inner parts. However, this 'fiction' is maintained to indicate the line.
ff massive
5 3
5 3
3 3
3 3
15
38
42
44
46
5 3
The melodic line should be maintained as much as
possible, even though repeated notes are required.
53
5 3 5
5 3 5
5
5
3
16
49
52
57
63
67
dim. . . . . . . poco . . . . . . a . . . . . .poco
3
3 3
3
3
3
3 3 3
3 3 3
p
mp
5 5 5
5 5 5
mf
3 5
3
3
5
mp
3 5
5
17
Gently, simply Gently, simply Gently, simply Gently, simply q = 66 = 66 = 66 = 66
IV. Study of a Woman's Hands
Piano
4
7
p p p
p mp
mp mf
mp
p mp
p
The texture in this piece should not be too dry - a certain 'generosity' in the pedalling is intended.
This is left to the player, but maintaining melodic lines should be paramount.
mp
20
18
21
24
f poco
mp
f
mp
poco
mp
5
non troppo
f
as much with weight as with loudness
[D#]
poco piùf
3
non troppo
f
poco più
f
3rd Ped.
3rd Ped.
22
With great energy and passion With great energy and passion With great energy and passion With great energy and passion q=88=88=88=88
V. The Kite of the Cradle
4
6
9
f
mf
5
poco
3
3
3
3
3
3
3 3
f
3 3
3
3
3 3 3 3
ff36 5 3
3
3
3
3 3 3 3 3 3 3
poco
5
3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3
25
12
14
16
18
20
(f)
d - i - m - i - n - u - e - n - d - o
5
mf
3
3
3 3
5
3
3
3
3 3
3
3 3
3
3
f
5
3
3
3
3 3
3
33
33
ff (subito meno)
f
3 3 3 3 3
3 3 3 3 3
33
33
26
22
25
28
31
34
ff
3 3 3 3
3 5
3 3 3 3
33
33
3 3 3 3
f
3 3 3 3 3
3 3
3
f
3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3
fff
pp3 3 3
3
3 3
3 3
3 3
3
27
37
40
43
46
49
3 3
3 3 3
3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3
3
mp subitop
3
3 3 3 3 3 3
3
3
3 3 3 3
mp p
3 3
3 3 3 3
3 3 3 3 33
3 3 3 3
3 5
3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3
p
3
33
3 3 3
3
3 3
3
3 3
28
51
53
55
58
61
7:65
3
3 3
3 33
3
3 3
3
f
33
33
3 3
33 3 3
ff
5 5 3
33 3
3
33 3
33
3 3
subito fff
subitomp
3 33
3 3 3
3 3
3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3
pp
3 3 3 3 3 3
3 3 3 3 3
33 3 3 3
29
64
67
69
72
75
p
3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3
[light pedal]
3 3 3 33 3 3 3 3 3 3
mf
3 3
3
3
3 3
f
3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3
[accidentals simile]
ff f3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3
5
3
3
3
3 3
5
3
3
3
3 3
3
3 3
3
3
30
77
79
82
84
88
ff
35
3
3
3
33
3
3 3 3 3 3 3
[Bb]
33
5
3
3
3
3
3 3 3
3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3
3 3 3 3
3
3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3
(m)f dim. ma non troppo3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3
ff mf3 3
31
97delicate - fleetingdelicate - fleetingdelicate - fleetingdelicate - fleeting
104
[ ]
pp mp pp mp
3 3 3 3
pp mp pp mp pp
ppp
pp
3
3 3 3 3 3
32
Dry, truculent - somewhat 'snatched' Dry, truculent - somewhat 'snatched' Dry, truculent - somewhat 'snatched' Dry, truculent - somewhat 'snatched' q = 92 = 92 = 92 = 92
VI. Tank
Book II
Piano
5
8
10
p
exaggerated crescendos
ff mp f p ff p ff mp f3
3 3 3
mp ff mp ff
f mf f mp f mp
3 3 33 3
ff mp f ff
f
3 3 3
mp mf pp
3 3
3rd Ped.
3
33
13
17
21
subdued but with weightsubdued but with weightsubdued but with weightsubdued but with weight23
25
p mf p mfmf pp3
3rd Ped.
una corda
p p poco mp
p sempre
f
tre corde
mp
f p mf33
33
33
3
p mp
p f molto
p
poco
33
p sempre p sempre
3 3
mp
poco,
pp p pp
ppoco
mp p mp
3 33
34
28
31
34
Tumultous (with as little rubato as possible)Tumultous (with as little rubato as possible)Tumultous (with as little rubato as possible)Tumultous (with as little rubato as possible)
36
38
mp mf
mpmf mp
mp mf mp
33
mf
cresc. poco a poco
mfmp mf mp mf mp mf
3 3 3
molto
,
3 3
3
3
3 3
fff
3
3
3
3
3
3
3 3 3
3
35
40
42
45
49
53
3 3 3
3
3
3 3 3
3 3 33
[loco]
3 3 3
mp mf mp mf pp
3
3
ppp ppp
pp pp p pp p
3 3 3
p f 3
pp p
3
36
Mesmeric, luminous, subdued Mesmeric, luminous, subdued Mesmeric, luminous, subdued Mesmeric, luminous, subdued q.=60.=60.=60.=60
VII. Polishing Imperfections in Glass
Piano
6
11
15
cantabile
p legatissimo
*
simile
("baignées de pedales")
meno
poco più
* The RH part should be like one line with the top note sustained, but dominant; not like two separate voices.
LH phrasing is not marked as it will follow the RH.. Pedaling should be very generous, with a glassy sound quality.
37
19
24
29
34
39
meno
mp
both R.H. parts are within the quintuplet
come prima
5:6
5:6 5:6 5:6
5:6
sub. p
5:6
5:65:6
5:6
poco a poco più
5:6
5:6 5:6
38
Nervous, anxious Nervous, anxious Nervous, anxious Nervous, anxious e = 200 = 200 = 200 = 200
VIII. A Moth to the Light
Piano
6
12
17
mp
mp
3 3
(m)f subito
mp mf3 3 3 3
mp molto f3
3 3 3
mp
p
p
3 3
3 3
40
23
30
36
43
48
mf mp
3 3 3
3
3
3
3
mf f3 3 3
ff
3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3
sub. pp
ff
sub.
pp
just enough to let chord emerge quietly from the tumult
simile
41
113
119
124
129
135
p
p
mp
mp
mp mf mp mf
3 3 3
mp
3 3
33
p
pp
3
poco3 3 3 3
(pp)
(pp) mf
moltop mp
5
phrase 'bouncing off' the bass notes
3
mp mp
5:6
3
44
144
151
158
163
169
pocof
molto
5:65:6
mp mp
mp
mf f mf5:6
5
5
mf
f
mf
3 3 3 3
ff
sub.mf
molto
5 5
33
3
p
5
5
3
3 3
3
3 3 3 3
45
176
182
188
192
196
non rit.non rit.non rit.non rit.
mp
mp mp mp
più legato3 3 3 3
3 3
cresc. poco a poco
3 3 3
3
f
3 3 3
3 3 3
mf
moltoff
3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3
3 3 3
3 3 3 3 3 3 3 7:8
staccato, if possible
3 3 3
3
33 3 7:8
46
Wistful Wistful Wistful Wistful q = 60 = 60 = 60 = 60
IX. Perspectives of Disappearance
Piano
4
7
10
p
5 5
A minimum of pedaling is marked to avoid fussiness. However, the sound
intended is not dry but luminous, so the pedal should be used generously.
3
p
mf
5
53
5
p
mp
p pp
poco
3
3
47
12
15
17
20
23
mf mp
3 5 3 3 3 3 5
3 5
mf mp
3
5:6
5
(poco subito)
ppoco
5 5
pp
3
3
mp
p
3rd Ped.
This is merely suggested pedaling - sustained and 'glossy, but not too over-resonant. The performer is free to alter it.
The lower part is to be slightly more distant until bar 27
pp
3
3rd Ped.
pp
48
poco agitatopoco agitatopoco agitatopoco agitato25
27
29
32
mp mp
5 5
5
3rd Ped.
p mp
3rd Ped.
mf
mf mpmolto
35
35
35
3rd Ped.
f
3
ff5 3 5
5:6
5
poco meno mf
3remaining intense
5 5
49
36
40
44
48
52
mp
3
p
(p)
poco pp
mp
moltop
55
sub.mp
sub.p
pp
molto molto p
5 5
pp ppp
ppten.
pp
pp
3
50
Light - delicate - dancing Light - delicate - dancing Light - delicate - dancing Light - delicate - dancing q = 100 = 100 = 100 = 100
X. La Scapigliata
Piano
4
7
11
mp mp mp mp mp
A slightly 'fussy', pointed use of dynamics is intended, with strong diminuendi
for paired notes, but with phrased dynamics following the dotted hairpins above.mp mp
3 3 3 3 3 3 3 33
mp mp mp mf mf mp
mf mp
3 3 3 3 3 3
mf
3 3 3 3 3 3
poco mf mf mf mp3 3 3 3
mf mf
3 3 3
51
14
17
20
22
24
mf mf f mf mp
3 3
f
3
33 3 3 3
mf mp
moltof
molto mp molto
3 3 3
mp molto
3
3 33
f mf f
pocoff
3 3
f
3
3
3
3
3
3
f ff
3
f
3 3 3
3
moltopp
3
3 3 3
33
52
28AgitatoAgitatoAgitatoAgitato
33
36
39
44
mp
3 3 3
3 3
accented notes here not over attacked,
just standing out from triplets
3 3 3 3 3
3
33 3 3 3 3 3 3
mp mp
3 3 33
pp pp
poco
p p
pp mp
3
33 3 3
3 3
3
3
mp mf mp
moltof ff
f 5 5
33
5 5
ff
poco
fpoco
mf mp
33
3
3 3
53
50
54
59
63
playfulplayfulplayfulplayful
66
poco
mppoco3 3
3 3 3 3
3 3 3
p mp pp p
3 3
3 3
mp p mf5 5
poco più
pp p
p p mp3
poco
p
mp p
mp
p
mp5
3
3
3 3
mp p p p
mp mp
p p mp
mp
3 3 3 3 3
33
3
54
69
72
77
mf p mf
mf
mp3
mp p
mf
mp
p
3
3 3 3 3
3
3
mf
p
moltomf
p p p33
mp p
mp
mf
mp
3 3
p p p
lontano
una corda
ppp sub.
tre corde
p pp
poco
3
55
Andante - un poco pesante Andante - un poco pesante Andante - un poco pesante Andante - un poco pesante q = 66= 66= 66= 66
XI. The Existence of Nothingness
Book III
4
7
11
f3 3
3 3
mf f
3
3 3
33
3 3
mf mf
3
3
3 3 3
3
mf3
3 3
5
3 3
3
56
16
19
22
26
30
3
3
3 3 3
f
f
3 3
3rd Ped.
3
3 3
5 3 3
3
ff
f
ff
bars 22 & 24 A little rubato will be obviously be necessary to accommodate the spread chord.
The top two (melody) notes should not be arpeggiated.
3 3 3
pochiss.
f
poco3 3 3
3 3
(ancora) f
poco
f ff
3 3 33 3 3
top two notes not arpeggiated. Rubato come prima - but as little as possible.
3 33 3 3
57
33
37
39
41
sub. mf f mf
molto
3
3
3
3
3
ff
3
3 3
3 3
5 5
ff
3 3
3
3 3
fff3 3 7:85 3
fff
3 33 3
5
ffsoltanto un poco meno
poco menof
3 3 33 3
3
3
3
3
3 3
3 3
3 3 3
58
44
48
53
59
63
33
3 3
3
3
3
3
3
mf mp
3 3
3 3 5 3 3 3 3
mp
3 3
p
3
5 3
3 3 3 3
pp
3rd Ped.3 3 3 3 3
3
3 3 3
3 3
59
Whirring - like a wonky tarantella! Whirring - like a wonky tarantella! Whirring - like a wonky tarantella! Whirring - like a wonky tarantella! e = 168 = 168 = 168 = 168
XII. The Impossibility of Perpetual Motion
4
8
12
legatiss.mf
3 3 3 5 3 3 3 5
f
3 5 3
3
3
3
3
5 5 3 3
f
3 3 3 5 3 3 3 3
3 3 3
f
3 3 5 5 3
3 3 3 3 3
61
15
18
21
24
26
ff
f
3 33 3 3 3
3 3
f 3 3 3 3 3 3
5 3 3
3 3 3 3
mp f3 5
mf f
3 3 3
3 3 3 3 3 3
ff mp
ff
mp
3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3
62
28
30
33
36
39
f
5 5 3 3
sub.p
3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3
p
3 3 3 5 3 3 3 3
3
3
3 3 3 5 3
3
33
f
3 3 3 3 33
3 3 3
63
42
45
49
53
58
ff
p ffmp
molto
ff
ffmfmolto
3 3
ff
p ff mp mppiù
3 3 3 5 3 3 3 3
(p)
mf mf mfmolto
3
p f 5 3
p
5 3 3 5
5 3
pp
pp
poco3 3
3
5 3 3 3 3
64
63
66
70
73
76
p
molto
f
3 3 3
3
3 3
p sfz mp
3
sfz sfz
3 3 3 3 3 3 33
f
3 3 3 5
3
sfz sfz
ff fff
3 3 3 5 3 3 3 3 3
[E]
3 3 3 3
3
5 3
3 3 3
3 3 3
3 3 3 3
3 3
65
Almost still - very slow Almost still - very slow Almost still - very slow Almost still - very slow q = 36 = 36 = 36 = 36
XIII. Lenses for Looking at the Moon
Piano
5
8
lontano
pp
*
* both notes
pp
una corda
ppp
67
Massive Massive Massive Massive q = 76 = 76 = 76 = 76
XIV. Study of a Deluge
Piano
4
(tre corde)
3
fff
3
3
3
3
ff
3 5
3
f 3
3
3
f
3
3 3
70
7
10
13
ff fff
3 f ff 3
3
fff
ff
3
ff f ff
5
3
3 3
fff ff
f
3 5
fff
3
3 3
ff3
f
3 3
5
fff
fff
3
f fff
ff
3
fff3
3
3
3
5
71
16
19
22
f f3 5 5
ff ff
f f
3 53 3
ff
ff
ff f
35 3 5
f
f
3 3
f
5
3
poco meno
5 35
poco meno
3
poco meno
5
3 3 3
72
25Meno mosso Meno mosso Meno mosso Meno mosso q = 66 = 66 = 66 = 66
29
32
mp
3 mp
3
33
mp mp
p mp mp p mp
mp
3 mf
poco
mf
poco
mf
mp p mp mf
p
3 p
3
mp
mp
3
mp
mp
p p mp mp mp
73
always growing in tensionalways growing in tensionalways growing in tensionalways growing in tension48
50
poco accel. poco accel. poco accel. poco accel.
52
Tempo prino Tempo prino Tempo prino Tempo prino q = 76 = 76 = 76 = 76
3 3 3
3 3
3
f ff f ff
fff 3 5
3 3
3 fff fff
3 5
fff
76
55
58
61
accel. accel. accel. accel.
3
33
5
5
3
3
3
3
(fff)3
(fff)
3 5
f
with surging energy
molto
3 3
77
65
Molto più mosso Molto più mosso Molto più mosso Molto più mosso q = 132 = 132 = 132 = 13269
73
f
moltof
molto
3 37:8
3 3 3 5
fff3
fff
fmolto
fmolto f
molto
3 3 3 3 3 3 3 5
fff 3 3
3 3
5 5 5
l.v.
5 5
5
l.v.
78
97
Meno Mosso, Maestoso Meno Mosso, Maestoso Meno Mosso, Maestoso Meno Mosso, Maestoso e.= 132.= 132.= 132.= 132
101
Più mosso (Tempo II) Più mosso (Tempo II) Più mosso (Tempo II) Più mosso (Tempo II) e. = 176 = 176 = 176 = 176
104
Meno Mosso Meno Mosso Meno Mosso Meno Mosso e.= 132.= 132.= 132.= 132
107
sub. f
molto cresc.
5
fff
D§ and Db reminders are not used in these bars to avoid clutter
5
3
80
Lontano Lontano Lontano Lontano q = 48 = 48 = 48 = 48
XV. This the Way Birds Descend
Piano
5
10
14
pp
*
(non tr.)
poignantly
(l.v.) L.H. piacere
3 3 3 3
*bar 4 etc.:To avoid fussiness the trilled note is tied, it resuming as soon as the melody note has been struck and 'rung' a little, in the manner of Debussy etc.
** bar 14: the melody ties are 'aural'. However, there should be a clear sense of line. Phrase marks/slurs are not indicated for the rapid broken chord inner parts
to avoid pointless clutter - these follow the melody phrasing. The effect is intended is of a gentle hovering developing from the trills and not something over articulated.
82
più appassionatopiù appassionatopiù appassionatopiù appassionato28
29
30
31
32
mp
3
3 3 3 3
3 3 3
3
mf 3 3 3
5
[C#]
f
ten.
3 3 3 3
molto
3 3
85