1952

Nocturnes Opus 1, No. 1

Nocturnes Op. 1 No. 2

Relatively compliant with Johann’s score (so far as you know)….poetic licence (ie a coach and horses) appear to have been driven through certain measures (and to a lesser extent, dynamic range notation), in response to which I rely upon, by way of mitigation, the excuse that Rubato made me do it(rhythmic shaping and/or contortion of tempo within the otherwise static/prescriptive confines of selectively iterated measures). Can roses grow, from the ashes of my Rubato sins? Read on.

Part II (not yet posted) will comprise variations on this same piece. Fasten your seatbelt. Estimated completion date 20 July 2023.

I heard variations singing in my mind, when rubato ran amok. Hopefully it will all make sense when the variations are complete, though in all likelihood, it will not (make sense).

Inspired by a miraculous performance of JS Bach by French composer pianist and flautist Douvin. Your time is better spent hearing Douvin's piece, which is here, the work of a true master. J'adore Douvin. Everything he does is breathtakingly beautiful.
https://soundcloud.com/franckdouvin/suite-en-si-mineur-of-js-bach-new-monday-july-10-2023-recording

J.S. Bach - Two Part Invention- C Major - Part 1 - Performance

For Franck Douvin. Composer, pianist and flautist, par excellence

Études Op. 3 (Rêves des Anges) No. 1

For Pamela Illanes-Tatsuoka. A contemporary composer of rare genius, whom I am proud to call my friend.

Nocturnes Op. 1 No. 9

After Heaney's poem 'Strange Fruit'. This impressionist work for piano began life as an attempt to capture death...specifically, to capture the sadness, beauty and ultimately the reverence which Heaney experienced, when excavation of an ancient burial site revealed the body of a 'prune-skinned' girl.

"...They unswaddled the wet fern of her hair
And made an exhibition of its coil..."

I met Seamus Heaney once, momentarily. I shall never forget, that which he cannot have remembered.

Strange Fruit

Pavane

For my mother, with infinite love. I shall love her long after stars put out their fires, and vast oceans turn to dust.

Sonatas Op. 2 No. 3

Improvised variations (on a theme of Shostakovich from the Second Movement of his Piano Concerto No. 2, Op. 102).

For my dear friend, British lawyer and novelist David Nathan, who first brought the piece to my attention over dinner. David is the greatest orator I know. A wonderful novelist and raconteur. I am proud to count such a brilliant man amongst my friends.

Improvised variations on Shostakovich Op. 102

Études Op. 3 (Gare Montparnasse) No. 2

For my friend, British actor and director David Bark-Jones. Before the altar of such vast talent, this knave shall always kneel. As well as being unfathomably talented, David also happens to be one of the most charmingly delightful people you could ever hope to meet. In celebration of David's remarkable work in film, theatre, and as a director.

Études Op. 3 (Air Sacré - Winter Pollen) No. 3

These variations (of which this is the first) take the form of an effort to understand one of Chopin's most elegant ideas. Drawn from the well of Chopin's Opus 28 No. 15.

First variation on Chopin's Op. 28 No. 15

At the end. There has only ever been.
Love.

Sonatas Op. 2 No.7

Études Op. 3 No.4

I heard a track tonight by an artist I had not heard before. Kendrick Lamer. The beauty. The power. The track was called 'All the Stars'. 

After hearing his brilliancy, the following improvised Jazz piano variations occurred. I do not claim the variations are 'good'. What I do claim, is that this track constitutes an entirely authentic initial reaction to the unfathomable genius of Lamar.

The variations are lengthy not because I wanted them lengthy. They are lengthy because it is an attempt to understand.

Kendrick - First variation

Improvised (second) variation upon hearing a track by Kendrick Lamer entitled 'All the stars'

Kendrick - Second variation

Improvised as opposed to impromptu. Accident of some sort.

Fugues Opus 4 No. 1 (Improvised)

Jazz Ampere

For my friend, British lawyer and businessman, Giles Bark-Jones, whose tenacity and ability have to be experienced to be believed.

Sonatas Op. 2 No.8

Études Op. 3 No. 5

Composer: Pamela Illanes-Tatsuoka
Performer: Pablo Cig

Sonata No. 2 by Pamela Illanes-Tatsuoka (collab Pablo Cig)

Had a perfect day today. So perfect, I did not want it to end. 
I stayed up until 3am, playing this improvised jazz piano piece. I hope you enjoy listening to it nearly so much as I enjoyed expressing how a perfect day sounds to me.

Perfect Day - improvised jazz piano

Hoping to write a Scherzo (something playful), this Sonata came out instead. My careless languorous muse plainly had other ideas.

Sonatas Op. 2 No. 9

All of the Nocturnes should have been under the same Op. number with different piece numbers. Same with the Sonatas. Shall sort out this opus numbering debacle at some point. Suffice to say, there are only a very small number of Opuses (sometimes the word Opera is used for the plural). Perhaps 3 or 4. Nowhere approaching 24, that is for certain. [{Edit} Fixed - All Nocturnes are Opus 1 No. 1 et seq, Sonatas are Opus 2 No. 1 et seq, and all other pieces in which I marked my own homework by assigning Opus numbers comprise Etudes Opus 3, No. 1 et seq).

Études Op. 3 (Slavonic Dance) No. 7

Adagietto For Guitar

This is the first time I have attempted a second movement (for a Sonata. I hope you like it). A third movement, for which a redoubling of effort will be required, is intended. I can hear it, but cannot yet write it down or play it. Hope the as yet imaginary third movement materialises. Thanks for taking the time to hear the piece.

Sonatas Op. 2 No. 11 - 2nd movement

In the summer of 2013, I heard Keith Jarrett AND Jamie Cullum play in Juan Les Pins. I was thinking about that magical evening, when improvising this piece.

Juan Les Pins

Haybarn Sun III (Improvised Jazz Piano)

Nocturnes Op. 1 No.18

Petite fleur-mauve

Nocturnes Op. 1 No. 20  |  Catching falling oak

Cobalt blue

Nocturnes Op. 1 No.23

Sodium blue

Nocturnes Op. 1 No. 24

Sonatas Op. 2 No.15

homo sacer

Sonatas Op. 2 No.16

Nocturnes Op.1 No.25

Nocturnes Op.1 No.26

winter air

Piano mostly.
There comes a point when playing a piano becomes like driving a car. You are not aware you are driving. You just are. You are not aware... of anything, apart from the road ahead. Shall respond with thanks to all gratefully received messages, when I eventually emerge from some sort of musical dream-state.

Pablo Cigar | Composer

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