Flowing figures, open questions
Johanna Doderer's piano piece is characterized by small-scale elements in the style of minimal music, but also features emotional moments.
She bears a famous name that has a special ring to it, and not just in Austria: Johanna Doderer is the grandniece of Heimito von Doderer, the author of the novel The Strudelhofstiege and other literary masterpieces. She can also look back on a remarkable oeuvre. Born in Bregenz in 1969, the composer has written numerous works ranging from chamber music and symphonic pieces to grand opera. There is no lack of recognition and resonance. Johanna Doderer has already received important prizes and awards. And to mark the centenary of the Republic of Austria in 2018, the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra even played parts of her second symphony at the State Opera.
However, one of her most recent works leaves one somewhat perplexed. Everything flows for solo piano (DWV 109) was commissioned by the International Beethoven Piano Competition and was premiered at the opening ceremony. According to Doderer, the title is intended to reflect the intertwining of the musical themes. It is difficult to say whether impulses from Beethoven's music were also incorporated. There are a few pathetic moments, but in general small-scale accompaniment figures dominate, repeated in the style of minimal music. They occasionally intensify into more emotional climaxes, but mostly the music takes over. This is despite the fact that a rhythmic flow almost always prevails.
The pianistic texture is inconsistent: skillfully placed virtuoso cascades are contrasted with banal passages that come across as strangely awkward. (Bar 173, for example, can only be played reasonably well by people with long arms). On the last page there is a note that could have been written by Beethoven: "... with the most heartfelt feeling". Curiously, there is also an outburst in triple forte. Is there irony involved?
The piece ends - like Beethoven's piano sonata with the same work number - in pure E major ... and leaves all questions unanswered.
Johanna Doderer: Alles fliesst (Everything flows) DWV 109, for piano solo, D. 01 699, € 14.95, Doblinger, Vienna 2018
