Vier Figuren für Klavier

Vier Figuren is an early work from 1982. The atmosphere and rhythmic complexities within this essentially skeletal piano writing could evoke vivid character studies in the hands of an interpreter with the requisite ‘selling power’. The ability to tease-out textual details is essential in Diendorfer’s finale movement, a dour virtuoso bagatelle in octaves. The other movements of the set are an introductory Waltz in which tied notes reverberate cleverly, a tremolo sketch which is decidedly unpianistic, and a static three page number in which quiet dissonant chords are interrupted by filigree flourishes (think of children playing ‘musical statues’). (Murray McLachlan, INTERNATIONAL PIANO July/Aug. 2007)