Stevenson - Passacaglia on DSCH; Final Variations (Part 3/3)

Final Variations from Passacaglia on DSCH Op. 70 (1962)

Ronald Stevenson (b. 1928) is a Scottish neo-romantic composer and virtuoso pianist. He studied at the Royal Manchester College of Music, befriended John Ogdon, and was a full-fledged artistic disciple of Busoni's music. His output is enormous and encompasses over 500 piano works, 300 songs, and a number of concerti and chamber pieces. His music traverses multiple styles ranging from Liszt and Busoni to Bax and Copland.

Stevenson reportedly has said, "My main interest in music is in the epic. This is an epic age it seems to me, and only epic forms can fully express its aspirations." This is a fitting explanation for his monumental 80-minute 141-page Passacaglia on DSCH, which is perhaps the greatest passacaglia I have yet heard. The work is dedicated to Shostakovich (who received a copy of the score) and the passacaglia's ground bass continously repeats the notes D, S, C, H (D, Eb, C, B).

Category:

Music

Tags:

• ronald
• stevenson
• passacaglia

[addeex1]

What was the electronic effects? :S

[Hexameron]

See the opening of Part 2/3

[SaharaForce]

What a brilliant composition!!! Amazing, amazing!

Thanks very much for uploading!

[callychamp123]

I THINK IT'S ASWSOME!

[ViewerNotes]

Si no recuerdo mal, Shostakovich escucho la obra y Stevenson le entregó el manuscrito personalmente

[eribani]

isn't he just slamming his fist on the lower strings like the score says?

[shadowrun45]

Truely epic! Was there any reaction from Shostakovich?

[scriabinwasmydad]

beautiful! and I agree with it being one of the greatest Passacaglias of all time ...