Description
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24 Preludes of Dusk and Dawn (2020–2021) is a collection of pieces written during the COVID-19 crisis for advanced pianists. As an homage to Chopin’s 24 Preludes, each piece is inspired by the composer’s cherished memories of close friends and relatives and by the music of Chopin, Ravel, Morricone, Chick Corea, and other influential figures. The result is a richly diverse set of pieces. The premiere was given by Gila Goldstein, who also recorded the work, and Albany Records released the album, which is currently available on various streaming services.
Preface by Ronn Yedidia (excerpt)
The 24 Preludes of Dusk and Dawn were composed between April 2020 and March 2021 – during a trying time overshadowed by the global Covid-19 health crisis. This set of evocative & contrasting preludes pays tribute to several people and topics, as follows: It is dedicated to my mother, Rosa Yedidia (1933-2020), who passed away shortly after I embarked on its creation. In particular No. 4 – “Rose in the Garden” – is about her, and the one during which she departed. Having had doubts in regard to modulating between keys – starting in Bb Major and shifting to C Major – once I returned to this prelude, a week after my mother’s passing, I found its mystery resolved, and the puzzling modulation redressed as a metaphor for the transition between modes in human life.
The 24 Preludes of Dusk and Dawn pay a very personal tribute to Frédéric Chopin’s 24 Preludes, Op. 28 – collectively as a set in all different keys, and also individually – with several preludes wholly inspired & directly referencing Chopin’s preludes – as follows:
II. Moderato; solitario e desideroso (G# minor)
III. Allegro misterioso (D# Phrygian/Major)
IV. “Rose in the Garden” (Bb Major/C Major)
V. “Fantasia” (G Major/E Major)
VI. “Winds of Destiny” (A minor)
VII. “Dreams” (D Major)
VIII. “Storm of Fate” (G minor)
IX. “The Answer” (Eb minor)
X. “Butterflies” (Gb Major)
XI. “Calling of the Bird” (Bb minor)
XII. “Budding” (F Major)
XIII. “Prayer” (B minor)
XIV. “Before the Snow” (F# minor)
XV. “Fata Morgana” (A Major)
XVI. “Once Upon a Flower” (D minor)
XVII. “Despedida, Diego!” (C minor)
XVIII. “Bubbles” (Ab Major)
XIX. “Never Again!” (F minor)
XX. “Memories” (Db Major)
XXI. “Orly” (E minor)
XXII. “Yasemin” (B Major ‘Impressionistic’)
XXIII. “Windows of Spain; Rest in Peace, Chick!” (B Major)
XXIV. “Oath and After…” (D# minor)
Ronn Yedidia’s compositions have galvanized the attention of performing artists worldwide during the last two decades. His works have been featured in major concert halls and documented on film, radio and television. He has won high critical acclaim from leading newspapers around the world, as both composer and pianist. Born in 1960 in Tel Aviv, Israel, he began his musical career as a child prodigy pianist, winning 1st Prize at the Young Concert Artists’ Competition of Israel at the age of eight. His main teacher and mentor was Israel’s first lady of the piano, Pnina Salzman, who herself was a protege of Alfred Cortot. Active as a performer for many years, Ronn decided at the age of 15 to shift his attention towards composition. In 1984 he entered the Juilliard School from which he holds a Doctor of Musical Arts Degree in composition. During his studies there under David Diamond and Milton Babbitt he received all the major prizes in composition, including the Lincoln Center Scholarship, the Irving Berlin Scholarship, the Henry Mancini Prize, and the Richard Rodgers Scholarship. He also won the Juilliard Composition Competition twice – in 1987 & 1989 – and as a result had his works performed at the Juilliard Theater and at Alice Tully Hall.
