Frozen Blues

(2002)

In my Three Pieces for Piano pianist Pascal Meyer specifically commissioned me to use the interior of the piano. I then had to ask myself what a composer these days can add to his technique, which has been so well developed in the past.

The same question presented itself when Marcel Worms requested me to contribute to his Blues project. What can a composer in the 21st century add to the Blues? After listening to his CD I immediately knew that I wanted to write a piece in which only nebulous fragments would recall the blues. Chord charts, virtuousic licks and mountains of notes; they were all there during the many reflections. Finally I threw all “ballast” overboard and chose for simplicity.

Written for Marcel Worms.
For this piece a grand piano with a third pedal is required.

Robert Nasveld, piano