After having dedicated his “Scherzo” to her in 2017, it's at the Festival di Milano Musica that “Scherzo II” by Georges Aperghis will be premiered at the Teatro alla Scala on October 18, 2020 by the pianist Mariangela Vacatello.

Here are a few words from Mariangela Vacatello about this new work:

After having dedicated to me the first "Scherzo" for solo piano in 2017, Georges Aperghis has written a second one.

There are many differences between the two pieces: firstly, the duration, the second work being almost twice as long as the first. The first "Scherzo" is akin to an endless technically very difficult movement, rhythmical, fast and "without pedal" as indicated by the composer in the score so as to make the sound tension even more distinct within the groups of pitches of the notes, which proceed in an incessant and uninterrupted manner. Towards the end of the work, we encounter another aspect typical of the composer: he suddenly stops this perpetual motion, as if an opposing character were taking his place on stage by contrasting the original speed with the serenity of harmonically superimposed yet immobile chords.

"Scherzo II" has a much more complex form, without detracting from the great irony in the execution of the first work.

The successions of the different sections are numerous; the long fragments follow one another quickly, without always being able to grasp their essence, as if it were a never-ending experiment. The introduction revolves around the central section of the keyboard before "decomposing" in the second half of the work; the rhythmic "traces" of the two hands are superimposed, combined, all the while creating with semitones a sound which seemingly tries to move away from the idea of the instrument for which it was written, by giving the impression of being unnatural. At the same time, this process gives the pianist a better understanding of the sound structure with an entirely "mechanical" flavour and an aspect close to the modern frenzy and vitality. The challenge and the drive for the performer are to interpret the work whilst reflecting on the human control over the mechanism of the machine.

Georges Aperghis - "Scherzo II"
For piano
World premiere: 18 October 2020
Festival di Milano Musica
Teatro alla Scala - Milan
Mariangela Vacatello, piano

Photos
Georges Aperghis © Kai Bienert
Mariangela Vacatello © DP