- Slow. (Juxtaposing held and staccato chords)
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Moderate. (A solemn procession of chords and silences, revealing the pedal’s role in adding sonority)
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Slow. (A hide-and-seek between a skittish right hand and a more sober left, ending in a clinch)
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Very Fast and staccato. (Confined to the bass register of the piano, where dry flutterings with sforzando interruptions are suddenly cut off – reminiscent of swatting a troublesome bluebottle)
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Slowish. (A conversation between calm legato phrases and staccato chattering)
- Epiphonema – As fast as possible. (A very brief postscript)
These minuscule pieces were composed in 1970, shortly after Malcolm was appointed aged 29 as a lecturer in modern music, composition and non-Western music at Homerton College, Cambridge. Epigrams, being concise and witty remarks, reflect his quick-witted and mischievous nature. Each Epigram explores a different texture or characteristic piano sonority. Please note that accidentals only apply to that particular note in the bar.
This was performed by Clare Hammond at Darlington Piano Society on 9 November 2014, and at Letchworth Music Club, ‘Howgills’, Letchworth, on 12 November 2014.
