Ivan Tcherepnin

Expressions op. 81

Each of the pieces is composed in a different form, some strict (At The Fair) or miniature (Silly Story of The White Oxen and Blind Man's Buff, both mini-rondos), use developement (Barcarolle) or are through composed (Thief in the Night). The pieces use a wide variety of rhythmical devices: successive rhythmic patterns (Entrance), rhythmic counterpoint (Exit). All of the titles are musically meaningful: bright and expectant (Entrance), gay and excited (At the Fair), fairy tale-like (Silly Story of The White Oxen), bird calls in the early morning light (At Dawn). In the words of the composer, the music of Expressions is subjective and dynamic, meant to give scope to a performer's expression of his own feeling in relation to the musical content of the pieces.