Eric Craven: Set for Piano
In the search for new techniques and ‘expanding the boundaries’ often composers can become so wrapped up in technique that the music as an art form is lost. Here is a composer whose vision has been to create a new form of composition (which he simply calls “non-prescriptive”) in which the performer has varying degrees of freedom to manipulate choice around a set core. Related to other techniques of course, it remains a new and distinct method which can allow, even within the least ‘set’ pieces, the music to remain approachable, often very beautiful and expressive. “Set” has twelve sections, and the degree of non-prescription increases as each piece follows.
SET is published by Divine Art Edition – buy the score in PDF using the link below. To buy ready printed version go to Naxos Sheet Music.
Track Listing
- Eric Craven:
- Set for Piano - ONE (2:58)
- Set for Piano - TWO (4:49)
- Set for Piano - THREE (2:27)
- Set for Piano - FOUR (3:59)
- Set for Piano - FIVE (4:46)
- Set for Piano - SIX (1:58)
- Set for Piano - SEVEN (4:02)
- Set for Piano - EIGHT (8:49)
- Set for Piano - NINE (5:25)
- Set for Piano - TEN (2:30)
- Set for Piano - ELEVEN (4:39)
- Set for Piano - TWELVE (22:13)
Reviews
“Craven’s 12 pieces possess more than a modicum of musical interest … I was intrigued by much of it, and recommend it to those prepared to take a punt. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
” —Robert Matthew-Walker
“Craven’s tonality is literal and daringly untreated; triads shocking in their nakedness. ‘Two’ and ‘Four’ flirt with Romanticism (albeit filtered via Bill Evans); other pieces are sketched over memories of Baroque lines. But Craven’s aloof distance from his material makes these stylistic reference points fade, refocusing attention on a renewed pool of raw gestures. He cuts across stylistic allegiances, those same old same old allegiances that box so many composers in. Set for Piano might have been written 50 years ago; could probably be written at any point in the future too. What’s more, I don’t want to know when it was written. I prefer to suspend my disbelief.
” —Philip Clark
