: The 5 Fingers
So back in 2017 I was finishing up the last year of composition study at Juilliard Extension, and Professor Cummings gave the class an assignment he called “Piece in a Hat”. Each student would pick a slip of paper out of a hat – and on that slip of paper would be 8 bars or so of some fairly obscure piano work by an otherwise fairly well known composer. The assignment was to use that little snippet of music as a starting point and then compose a short piano piece in one week. One of my fellow students went first – and when I heard the little piece of music she had selected I was jealous – because I really liked it and knew I could do something good with it. The composing gods were smiling on me that evening, because my fellow student already knew the piece – and so had to pick again. Professor Cummings asked if anyone else wanted to use the music. My hand reflexively shot up – “I’ll take it!”
I had no idea who the actual composer of my little assignment was – my best guess was Bartok. Long story short – I composed a little piece and was very happy with the way it turned out. It was then revealed that that actual composer of my assignment was Stravinsky. I went out to YouTube to hear what Stravinsky had done with that little snippet of music. But when I heard what Stravinsky had composed it was a big letdown, because old Igor had composed this piece for his children as a piano exercise and had limited the melody (right hand) to only 5 notes to make it easier for his children to play. In other words he put on a musical straight jacket while composing this piece.
Meanwhile, it turns out that Stravinsky had actually written 8 of these little pieces – titled Les Cinq Doigts (which means The Five Fingers in French). I had just finished work on a huge 3 movement string quartet and this presented the perfect opportunity to take on something smaller in scope – so I decided to “collect the whole set” as it were. It was like 8 tasty little musical after dinner mints. I took the same approach as with my classwork assignment. Using the opening 8 bars or so each piece and then – respecting Stravinsky’s feel as much as possible – I composed new music that employed the full range of notes. The only exception was the last piece, where I also used Stravinsky’s ending as well as the beginning.
Variations on Stravinsky’s Les Cinq Doigts got it’s world premiere performance back in 2019 by a superb virtuoso pianist Craig Ketter. You can see/listen to it here on YouTube. And sorry Stravinsky fans out there, but I much prefer my versions to Igor’s. If you wish to take exception to this, you can listen to the original versions (among many other places) here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mobTf5LO2lE
The reason I bring this up is that this Friday I will be performing a few of these at Trend Cafe in scenic downtown Montclair (details just below). I wish I could play these pieces as well as Mr. Ketter, but I will fumble along as well as I can.
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Friday March 31st, 8:00PM-10:00
Eric Heilner at Trend Cafe
411 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair NJ 973-744-1333
This is a rare solo appearance by yours truly. I will be playing piano doing a mix of blues, boogie-woogie, and 60s hits (Beatles, Beach Boys, Doors, etc). Also – I will also be playing (or stumbling through) some of my original piano compositions. Trend Café is a cute and funky little sandwich & dessert place located in the heart of busy downtown Montclair. Please note that I use “funky” in the positive sense of the word here. One mild warning – when I say “busy” downtown Montclair, this is no exaggeration – downtown Montclair gets packed on Friday Night. You may have to park several blocks away – or in the adjacent parking deck. But please don’t let that discourage you. Trend Cafe is also child friendly – that is if you let your kids stay up that late.
http://www.trendcoffee.com
https://www.facebook.com/dime.trendhouse.7
Saturday April 1, 8:00PM-10:00
Lunatic Fringe at The Glen Ridge Train Station,
4228 Ridgewood Ave (corner of Bloomfield Ave) Glen Ridge, NJ
It has been many years since I last played with the comedy improv group Lunatic Fringe. I reluctantly had to give up up performing as their regular musical accompanist due to scheduling difficulties, but as their regular piano player cannot make it I am jumping in and helping out – enthusiastically I might add. If you’re looking for a laugh in these grim times, you’ve come to the right place.
Admission is $12, $10 with reservation. Call 973 429-1527 for reservations/information.
https://sites.google.com/site/lunaticfringeimprov/home
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057610301175
Thursday April 13, 7:00PM-10:00
ROWING IN EDEN
Church of the Transfiguration, Little Church Around the Corner
1 East 29th Street, New York, New York
The first “episode” (AKA movement) of my piece for string quartet – SQrt Season 1, Episode 1 – will get it’s debut world performance this month at the latest concert put on by the New York Composer’s Circle. The Bergamot Quartet will be performing. My piece is first on the program, so don’t be late. It will be followed by 5 other pieces by my fellow composers. Stick around for wine & cheese after the concert. General admission is $20, $15 for seniors, students are free. Advanced sales start tomorrow.
https://www.newyorkcomposerscircle.org/calendar/2022-2023.html