Deux Esquisses for piano

Composed in 2004 for solo piano and later arranged for four instruments in 2012, Deux Esquisses comprises two contrasting pieces that explore complementary aspects of musical expression.

The first Esquisse is lyrical and expressive, built around a melodic theme that unfolds over a legato ostinato. As the piece progresses, the theme is treated canonically, while the ostinato shifts into a staccato articulation. A series of modulations generates a succession of contrasting atmospheres, leading to the coda where the main theme is gradually stripped away. From the depths, a short melodic-rhythmic motif emerges — sombre and understated — introducing the second Esquisse.

This second piece is obsessive in nature, marked by the gradual construction of layered, repetitive patterns. The rhythmic insistence and structural economy contrast sharply with the fluidity of the first, creating a diptych of both emotional and formal balance.

The original piano version of Deux Esquisses has been recorded by Leonardo Anglani on the CD Pièces pour la jeunesse (BLC Music Production 10007) and by Antonio Eduardo on Da areia também se vê o mar (HOME000005).