Gargoyles Op.29 (1989) piano solo c. 12'00"
I. Presto
II. Adagio semplice, ma con molto rubato
III. Allegro moderato
IV. Presto feroce
Commissioned by the Tcherepnin Society
Dedicated to Eric Himy
First performed on October 14th, 1989 at Alice Tully Hall in New York City by Eric Himy
Published by Theodore Presser Company
ABOUT
The set of four piano pieces entitled Gargoyles were commissioned by the Tcherepnin Society for pianist Eric Himy on the occasion of his 1989 Alice Tully Hall debut recital.
I have long been fascinated by gargoyles and such ornamental grotesqueries. In this case the title Gargoyles is meant not in any programmatic way, but to indicate sharply drawn character sketches of a somewhat grotesque or morbid nature. In fact the title was not chosen until I was composing nearly the last page of the piece. I had discarded many potential, more-generic titles for the pieces (Etudes, Impromptus, Preludes, etc.) when I happened to look down underneath my piano where I had placed three plaster reproductions of gargoyles from the Notre Dame Cathedral. It was a “Eureka!” moment.
The four pieces are indeed contrasting etudes: the first, a study in double-notes; the second, legato octaves above an ostinato; the third, legato melody with inner figuration divided between the two hands; and lastly, an endurance test in double-notes, octaves and leaps.
"Gargoyles" has been recorded over two dozen times on compact disc and is one of the most frequently performed American piano works in both competitions and recitals.
RECORDINGS
REVIEWS
“Gargoyles, by Liebermann, a newly commissioned work by a young composer, filled the hall with almost magical sounds of great beauty and color.”
Somerset Herald
“The recital seemed to reach its highest point during “Gargoyles,” an amazing composition by Lowell Liebermann.”
The Daily World, Helena, AR
“Lowell Liebermann’s final piece from his Gargoyles (a dazzling neo-romantic Toccata) produced an audience response close to hysteria.”
The Musical Times
“…a diabolical set of four études entitles Gargoyles by the young Juilliard-trained composer Lowell Liebermann, whose neo-romantic idiom is dramatic and, to judge by the audience response, highly appealing.”
Gramophone
“Gargoyles demonstrates that virtuoso showpieces can still be written effectively.”
The Washington Post
”Gargoyles, four contrasting pieces by contemporary American composer Lowell Liebermann, was great fun with a terrific helter-skelter ending.”
The Sentinel, UK
“Not only is it a substantial piece of music, it’s imaginative, evocative, humorous, technically demanding, distinctive, and thoroughly entertaining.”
Chestnut Hill Local