Gourzi, Konstantia

Gourzi, Konstantia

Wind Dances & Eine kleine Geschichte (2 pieces for piano solo / first print)

Konstantia Gourzi’s (born in Athens/Greece, 31 March 1962) name often appears as composer as well as conductor in the announcements of her concerts. Her portfolio of compositions includes not only operas, film music and works for music theatre and orchestra, but also numerous solo pieces and chamber music. Konstantia Gourzi’s musical work is documented in detail through radio recordings, television broadcasts and live streams. Recordings of her extensive discography were released at ECM, NEOS, NAXOS and SONY Classical.

Composer’s notes

Wind Dances
Hommage à Federico Mompou

I. Winter
II. Spring
III. Summer
IV. Autumn

Commissioned by Maria Canyigueral for her project “Avant-guarding Mompou” with the support of the Arts Council England.

World premiere: 10 June 2018, Conway Hall, London. Piano: Maria Canyigueral
Preview concert: 20 January 2018, Barcelona

Wind Dances was inspired by Federico Mompous Tanz No. 14 and goes back to a request by pianist Maria Canyigueral for her project “Avant-guarding Mompou”.
Again, it was wonderful to draw inspiration from an existing composition, because the world of the other composer always opens new compositional perspectives. Even if the homage does not directly mirror the music of the other composer, it contains its energy.
Wind Dances consists of four miniatures, that musically represent the winds of the four seasons. Winter was composed for the higher piano registers and is defined by its rubato and singing character, clear and transparent like a crystal. Spring brings a strong “wind” movement into the left hand and lower registers. The melody gains tension with the accelerando, and disappears like the dust of spring. Summer is defined by a minimalistic theme that cannot unfold, but instead is being constricted by the energy of the heat. The last piece, Autumn, creates an atmosphere of falling leaves that are animated by the wind, to light and slow dances. A repeated action of the right hand is accompanied by a narrative autumn melody until everything disappears in the lontano. All four miniatures share similar compositional elements and should be performed together, just like a piece with four movements.

Eine kleine Geschichte

World premiere: November 2005, Berlin. Piano: Konstantia Gourzi

The piano piece Eine kleine Geschichte was composed during a short stay in a castle in the South of France. It is a short piece that is part of a composition series with very personal musical notes. Like in a diary, I describe my perception of certain moments in nature or in my surroundings, through music.

The piece starts with a melody that is repeated continuously until the end. After the second repetition, further elements are added. The main melody is played a tempo, like a column that is repainted without actually changing the main element. On the contrary, the idea is to add ornaments, that give new impressions again and again. The piece should be played with flowing continuity. The musician choses the tempo in such a way that the story is told in a natural flow.
I dedicate this piece to my teacher Hartmut Fladt, on the occasion of his 60th birthday.

Konstantia Gourzi

Konstantia Gourzi – A biographical essay > READ