IMPROVISATION ON A THEME BY ERIK SATIE for viola & piano (1891)

IMPROVISATION ON A THEME BY ERIK SATIE for viola & piano (1891)
Lucian Moraru
SonArt Publications SON-22-7, 2016
Viola version with composer performing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-PhybLErGsI

There is also a fascinating 2019 performance of another version, played by the composer as violist, with strings, dulcimer, percussion and piano: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-PhybLErGsI. This work that is just over 8 minutes long, is in declamatory style, full of viola fireworks with contrasting meditative passages, and is an improvisation based on a theme by Satie and a response to these themes by the composer that show a strong jazz influence. This would be an excellent contemporary recital piece with the inspiration of well-known popular themes by Satie.

Stringendo (Australian Strings Association’s magazine) - October, 2023