Motion Preludes

for piano solo
(2018)

A PDF of this score can be purchased from SheetMusicPlus.
A performance of “Motion Preludes” can be heard on YouTube.

Each of these evocative preludes focuses on a different type of continuous motion. Hence the title “Motion Preludes”.

1 - Brownian Movement

Brownian Motion is the jittery movement of dust or smoke particles suspended in air or liquid as they get pushed around by invisibly small molecules. When viewed under a microscope, only the jittery dust is visible, but in this piece, both the freely roaming molecules and the dust can be heard.

2 - Summer Brook

This is an easy-going prelude that develops from two basic ideas: the perfect fifth interval and a quietly repeating ostinato. To me, the ostinato sounds like the gentle flow of a quiet stream. Various combinations of 5ths then float on this “stream”, interacting with it to produce changing harmonic colors.

3 - Rickety Roller Coaster

Like a roller coaster, this prelude has many hills and valleys. Because the lengths of note groupings constantly changes, though, an unstable or rickety feeling is created. The effect is not like a fast smooth and agile modern roller coaster. Instead, it is like a quaint old coaster made of wood and steel. It isn’t loud, brash or gymnastic and is generally safe. Still, the prelude doesn’t make it entirely clear whether this ride ends with just a thrill, or something less desirable.

(performance time ca. 9:30)