Veillées

The Four Pieces for two piano parts (Solo I and Solo II) were composed in 1980/81. They are structured into individual sections.
I. Piece in 23 sections
II. Piece in 11 sections
III. Piece in 14 sections
IV. Piece in 15 sections

The sections within each of the four pieces must flow seamlessly into one another, without any pause. Only the four pieces themselves are separated by pauses.
The musical material of the two parts (Solo I and Solo II), consisting of tone rows, sound complexes, rhythms and dynamic contrasts, is arranged in a mirrored image within the form sections (retrograde also known as „Krebsgang").

Veillées can be performed in two different versions:
1. by one pianist as Four Pieces with two consecutive solo parts within each section
For this version, the two solo parts within each individual section are played directly one after the other, Solo I up to a double bar line (for example in piece I, bars 1-24) and then Solo II of the same section (in the example, bars 1-24 again).
2. by two pianists as Four Pieces with simultaneously sounding solo parts
In a simultaneous performance of the two parts (Solo I and Solo II), the mirrored arrangement of the musical sequence creates „surprising moments" within the individual sections, which are unimaginable in a separate performance of the two solos.