Since 2002, Bernhard Gal has created several compositions for (amplified) piano. Gal treats the piano like any other sound source he works with, trying to reflect upon the sonic potential and the historical and technical implications of the instrument in an exploratory and unprejudiced manner. Most compositions have been specifically written for Austrian pianist Xenia Hu, who remains the major interpret of Gal's piano works.

Mount Blanc (2002)

Composition for (amplified) piano, 25'.

In Mount Blanc, the resonating sounds of a grand piano are spread out into the entire performance space over a multi-channel loudspeaker projection. In a minute move from the lowest to the highest register, the entire range of the piano keyboard is explored. The hold pedal is always down, and only white keys are played. Depending on construction, volume, and intonation, varying overtones begin to resonate and to interact. Within the electronically amplified decay of tones emerge micro-compositions of fluctuating chords and tonal interferences.

A site-specific adaptation of Mount Blanc has been presented at the Kammermusiksaal of Berlin Philharmonic Hall
on November 7th, 2005, in conjunction with the Festival 'The New Austrian Sound of Music'.

mp3-excerpt


88 (2003)

Composition for (amplified) piano, 6'.

In 88, each key of a piano is hit once. The hold pedal is down during the entire performance. Depending on dynamics and pitch, tonal combinations of various durations and intensities emerge.
mp3-excerpt

h-b-c-a (2003)

Composition for piano, 8'.

A meditation about the potential of the hold pedal, about interactions and differentiations of the 'string instrument' piano, think harmony versus melody.
mp3-excerpt


Recycling 846 (2003)

Electroacoustic composition based on piano sounds, 12'.


schwarzenberg (2013)

Composition for piano, 5'.

Mount Blanc, Berlin Philharmonic Hall - Kammermusiksaal, November 2005

(...) Viel überzeugender, wenn Xenia Hu "Mount Blanc" von Bernhard Gál am Konzertflügel zelebriert: aus der Tiefe zum Diskant aufsteigende Akkordblöcke - eine subtile Gipfelbesteigung. (...)

Isabel Herzfeld (Der Tagesspiegel, Berlin, November 2005)



(..) Virtuose Solistin war Xenia Hu, eine in Taiwan geborene Wienerin, die zur Zeit ebenfalls in Berlin lebt. (..)

Wolfgang Schaufler (Mica, Wien, November 2005)