Distant Memories

Distant Memories is the 3rd piece of music for piano from Alexina Louie's Piano Music. It was commissioned by the Alliance for Canadian New Music Projects in 1982. It uses changing meters and "senza misura", meaning "without measure".

History

The intention for Piano Music was to create 4 contrasting works; Louie wanted "each work to address a new compositional, pianistic, or notational 'technique' or 'device'. At the same time, I did not want to write a dry pedagogical piece, as these pieces often are."

Senza misura

Instead of bar lines, the performance time is given in seconds (as opposed to measure numbers; or the omission of bar lines), which is marked by senza misura, or "without measure". This technique is also used in Louie's other pieces, which creates rhythmic complexity.

Structure

Introduction

The beginning is fluid, with a cadenza-like passage. 3 sharps are added in the introduction, though there is an absence of any key signature and a distinct key is still avoided. Pedal points are used in the left hand, and the E and C sharp notes are emphasized throughout the berceuse section. The time signature appears on the 3rd line and measures then begin.

Section B

The tempo is quasi berceuse, or "in the style of a lullaby". The theme has tenuto accents at the beginning of each bar, emphasizing the shifting meter in this section.

References

Sheppard, Linda. Musical overview (1600-2000) : from the History à la carte series. Canada : Longbow Publishing, 2006.