Analysis and Performance Suggestions of Frank Martin’s Quatre Pieces Breves

Abstract

Swiss composer Frank Martin’s Quatre Pieces Breves for solo guitar composed in 1933 has a very important place in the classical guitar repertoire. Modern compositional methods which were frequently used by composers especially in the early 20th century are not seen in compositions written for classical guitar. The works written for guitar in this period are generally under the influence of Spanish Romanticism. Therefore, contemporary approaches and developments seen in other instrumental and orchestral repertoires are not included in the classical guitar repertoire. At this point what makes Quatre Pieces Breves different and important is that Frank Martin uses modern composition methods such as 12-tone technique with a unique understanding and the work is the first classical guitar composition using these methods and pioneered the formation of contemporary classical guitar repertoire. In this article which was prepared using qualitative research methods, Frank Martin’s life, the composition process of Quatre Pieces Breves and its importance for the classical guitar repertoire were mentioned and the musical analysis of the Prelude, Air, Plainte and Comme une Gigue sections was made. In addition, the sections that are likely to be technically challenging for guitarists during the performance are discussed in detail at which point technical and musical suggestions for these sections are presented.

Keywords

• frank martin
• composition methods
• classical guitar
• 20th century guitar music