Peter Wolf

Wolf-Temperiertes Klavier

Péter Wolf (a doctoral graduate of the Franz Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest) has composed a number of large-scale compositions in recent years which have had success at the hands of distinguished performers; these include two piano concertos as well as concertos for oboe, clarinet, and violin. By entitling his newest set of pieces for piano Wolf-temperiertes Klavier, the composer was able to simultaneously indulge in wordplay based upon his surname and give a tip of the hat to German baroque master Johann Sebastian Bach.

The work's likeness to Bach is not limited to its title - the manner in which a piece has been written in both major and minor keys for each tone of the chromatic scale is blatantly inspired by Bach. In the preface to this publication, Wolf offers the following insights: ''I think I managed to find expressive titles. The first piece, Epiclesis (a prayer for inspiration, patience, and support), was heard from above: I was able to work continuously and without inhibitions. The works could be born in every key, until the last one, the Epilogue, was completed. When I finally finished inscribing the pitches of Bach's name, I admit, a little shiver went through me. '' Of the character pieces, all were completely new with the exceptions of one being previously written and another whose theme Wolf borrowed from one of his own stage works.

Wolf-temperiertes Klavier is recommended for advanced pianists who wish to push the boundaries between musical genres, as well as classical musicians interested in the harmonic language of jazz.