Piano Works by Dora Pejačević – A Personal Perspective of an Interpreter

This article illuminates the significance and impact of Dora Pejačević’s piano compositions through the lens of a performing artist. Dora Pejačević (1885–1923), a Croatian noblewoman and composer, emerges as a figure of profound musical depth and innovation. The article begins with an evocative desc...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Kyra Steckeweh
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Hrvatsko muzikološko društvo / Croatian Musicological Society 2024-01-01
Series:Arti Musices
Subjects:
Online Access:https://hrcak.srce.hr/file/473099
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1832582819667247104
author Kyra Steckeweh
author_facet Kyra Steckeweh
author_sort Kyra Steckeweh
collection DOAJ
description This article illuminates the significance and impact of Dora Pejačević’s piano compositions through the lens of a performing artist. Dora Pejačević (1885–1923), a Croatian noblewoman and composer, emerges as a figure of profound musical depth and innovation. The article begins with an evocative description of Pejačević improvising at the piano, a scene recounted by Countess Sidonie Nádherný von Borutin in a letter to the poet Rainer Maria Rilke dated 5 October 1914. This anecdote serves as a poignant entry point into Pejačević’s world. Central to the article is the exploration of Pejačević’s Piano Sonata, Op. 36, composed during the First World War. The interpretative perspective sheds light on the nuanced relationship between Pejačević’s compositional process and her personal experiences. The author argues that Pejačević’s music is not merely a reflection of her inner world but also a response to the external realities she faced. This dual focus highlights Pejačević’s ability to channel her emotional and intellectual energies into a musical language that is both deeply personal and universally resonant. The discussion extends to the broader context of Pejačević’s piano compositions, which are categorized into three distinct phases: early works reflecting her Romantic and Classical influences, middle-period compositions showing a mature late-Romantic style, and late works characterized by far-reaching harmonies and formal freedom, marking a stylistic turning point in her oeuvre. The article highlights Pejačević’s precision in musical notation and her ability to clearly communicate her musical ideas. Moreover, the article underscores the significance of Pejačević’s piano works within her broader musical oeuvre, noting that these compositions represent the largest body of her work and showcase her evolution as a composer. Through an examination of specific pieces, the author illustrates Pejačević’s stylistic development.
format Article
id doaj-art-826dee28c46e4fe9a685f065386812d1
institution Kabale University
issn 0587-5455
1848-9303
language English
publishDate 2024-01-01
publisher Hrvatsko muzikološko društvo / Croatian Musicological Society
record_format Article
series Arti Musices
spelling doaj-art-826dee28c46e4fe9a685f065386812d12025-01-29T09:21:47ZengHrvatsko muzikološko društvo / Croatian Musicological SocietyArti Musices0587-54551848-93032024-01-01552349357https://dx.doi.org/10.21857/90836c2r7yPiano Works by Dora Pejačević – A Personal Perspective of an InterpreterKyra Steckeweh0Leipzig, GermanyThis article illuminates the significance and impact of Dora Pejačević’s piano compositions through the lens of a performing artist. Dora Pejačević (1885–1923), a Croatian noblewoman and composer, emerges as a figure of profound musical depth and innovation. The article begins with an evocative description of Pejačević improvising at the piano, a scene recounted by Countess Sidonie Nádherný von Borutin in a letter to the poet Rainer Maria Rilke dated 5 October 1914. This anecdote serves as a poignant entry point into Pejačević’s world. Central to the article is the exploration of Pejačević’s Piano Sonata, Op. 36, composed during the First World War. The interpretative perspective sheds light on the nuanced relationship between Pejačević’s compositional process and her personal experiences. The author argues that Pejačević’s music is not merely a reflection of her inner world but also a response to the external realities she faced. This dual focus highlights Pejačević’s ability to channel her emotional and intellectual energies into a musical language that is both deeply personal and universally resonant. The discussion extends to the broader context of Pejačević’s piano compositions, which are categorized into three distinct phases: early works reflecting her Romantic and Classical influences, middle-period compositions showing a mature late-Romantic style, and late works characterized by far-reaching harmonies and formal freedom, marking a stylistic turning point in her oeuvre. The article highlights Pejačević’s precision in musical notation and her ability to clearly communicate her musical ideas. Moreover, the article underscores the significance of Pejačević’s piano works within her broader musical oeuvre, noting that these compositions represent the largest body of her work and showcase her evolution as a composer. Through an examination of specific pieces, the author illustrates Pejačević’s stylistic development.https://hrcak.srce.hr/file/473099Dora Pejačevićpiano worksinterpretation
spellingShingle Kyra Steckeweh
Piano Works by Dora Pejačević – A Personal Perspective of an Interpreter
Arti Musices
Dora Pejačević
piano works
interpretation
title Piano Works by Dora Pejačević – A Personal Perspective of an Interpreter
title_full Piano Works by Dora Pejačević – A Personal Perspective of an Interpreter
title_fullStr Piano Works by Dora Pejačević – A Personal Perspective of an Interpreter
title_full_unstemmed Piano Works by Dora Pejačević – A Personal Perspective of an Interpreter
title_short Piano Works by Dora Pejačević – A Personal Perspective of an Interpreter
title_sort piano works by dora pejacevic a personal perspective of an interpreter
topic Dora Pejačević
piano works
interpretation
url https://hrcak.srce.hr/file/473099
work_keys_str_mv AT kyrasteckeweh pianoworksbydorapejacevicapersonalperspectiveofaninterpreter