Nikolai Kapustin ： Motive Force Op.45

Motive Force Op.45 is a piano work marked by the sharp rhythmic character of jazz idioms and a driving momentum that seems constantly to press forward. Syncopations and finely detailed motion interweave, while the character shifts vividly from one passage to the next. A central attraction is the clear outline of the melodies emerging within the lively rhythms, together with the way the music unfolds while maintaining its energy. In performance, it is important to keep the rhythm precise without allowing it to become mechanical. Clearly distinguishing the voices in the two hands and bringing out the accents with a light touch helps reveal the work’s vitality.