Composer: Maria K. Lazaridou — Work for solo bassoon, Op.43 “F-E-D” is a three-part serial composition, approximately 4 minutes in duration.
The work draws its musical material—both pitches and rhythmic structures—from the 24 letters of the Greek alphabet and the notes F, E, and D, the first three tones typically taught to beginner bassoonists.
Each letter of the Greek alphabet is assigned to a note within a repeated 12-tone sequence, beginning with Alpha = F. From this method, a derived sequence yields the pitch set D, C, A, C♯, F, D, G, and B♭, from which the name KYRIAKOS (a dedication) emerges.
Two serial tone rows—a short row of 3 notes and a longer row of 8—are structurally interwoven via the pitch D, which serves as a connecting element between the two.
The metric design of the piece is based on the first half of the longer row:
– The first tetrachord is expressed through a 4/4 measure
– The interval between the first two notes maps onto a 7/8 measure
– The sum of the tetrachord’s intervals results in an 8/8 measure
The first movement begins rhythmically free, evoking the timeless journey each of us experiences—especially as beginners—when discovering an instrument and seeking new paths in life.
© 2024 Maria K. Lazaridou. All rights reserved.
All rights reserved