Charles H Ruggiero

Hocket Variations, for piano and prepared piano, 1978
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Instrumentation: Pn, Prepared Pn

Duration: ca. 30:00 min.

Hocket Variations - for Piano and Prepared Piano (1978)

"Hocket Variations for Two Pianos" was commissioned by the Michigan Music Teachers Association and was composed during August and September, 1978.

Although no theme is stated at any point in the composition, certain rhythmic, melodic, harmonic, textural, and formal elements are introduced, repeated, and varied throughout. Some of the more important of these elements are: hocket (a compositional device perfected in the middle ages consisting of the rapid alternation of two or more voices or instruments with single notes or groups of notes) and pointillism (a twentieth-century manner of composition in which single notes or small groups of notes are separated or isolated by musical space, timbre, dynamics, rests, etc.)-the two of which should be regarded as closely related in this composition; the opening chords of Variation 1 (which, incidentally, is only one measure in duration); the long series of pitches which is first stated in Variation 2; repeated notes and chords played accelerando (first found at the end of Variation 2) . . . ; the melodic and harmonic material first stated in Variation 3; the pitch class B-natural and the E major triad; and, trills and grace notes (first stated in Variation 6). It is hoped that even on first hearing a careful listener will recognize most of these elements much of the time when they are present in the work. As a successful performance of this composition unfolds, a creative and sensitive listener should intuitively or subconsciously construct an abstract "theme" (i.e., collection of compositional constants). So this work is, in a sense, a theme and variations.

Most of the variations are for two pianos, Piano I being "prepared" (i.e., physically modified, in this case by placing plastic screw anchors between the wires of all of the double and triple strings) to help clarify the hocket passages and provide timbral richness. Of the 20 variations three (5, 10, and 16) are for one piano. These solo variations not only provide some timbral and textural contrast, but also serve to introduce and recapitulate materials for two groups of variations.

In homage to the Goldberg Variations Variations 11, 14, and part of 15 of "Hocket Variations" are canons. However, the canons in Variations 11 and 15 are unmetered, and all three canons are as much timbral-textural-rhythmic "effects" as examples of strict counterpoint. (October, 1978)

Compositions and Arrangements