in short
Andrea La Rose
About this work:
At the beginning of 1999, I had decided to write what would be my first piece for piano. Since I am a flutist, I have not spent much time with the piano and it seemed like writing for it was almost like learning how to play it. After several frustrating starts, I came to realize that writing a set of smaller pieces would be a better place to start than a conventional piano sonata (came to realize = at the suggestion of my teacher! ha ha...). Short movements, otherwise known as "miniatures," allowed me to explore a wide range of expressional possibilities without it being necessary to connect them all or to develop them into larger forms. I chose two sets of six notes that would form the basis of the piece and began writing. About forty-five minutes later, I had my first miniature and was happy with how it had turned out. Then came the daunting task of giving my offspring a title. After mulling indecisively for ten minutes, I decided I would just name it "No. 1" for the time being and give it a less banal title later. On my way to press the "1" key, I was inspired to hold down the shift key. "!" was born, and as I congratulated myself on being oh-so-clever, I realized I was then obligated to write nine more piano miniatures.
Year composed: 1999
Duration: 00:13:00
Ensemble type: Keyboard:Piano
Instrumentation: 1 Piano