About the creation

Prologue, Variations and Epilogue consists of a prologue, a theme with nine variations and an epilogue. Both the prologue and epilogue are also free variations of the theme. The basis of the whole work is a row of six tones which appears in its original form at the beginning of the theme; the remaining six tones of the dodecaphonic row accompany and elaborate freely. The prologue opens energetically and is rich in contrasts but its continuation is quieter. In this second section the energetic chords which introduced the prologue are heard. The theme is in three sections. The first is made up of three phrases. The second section is recitative-like. The third consists of two short phrases – free inversions of the beginning of the maintained and its musical material is developed. The epilogue also opens with with an energetic section which is a broad development of the beginning of the principal theme. In a quieter section, the middle part of the theme and its ending is developed. After a return of the opening section, the work closes in a quiet, thoughtful mood. The work was awarded second prize at the IMI Competition for piano compositions (1966) and was first performed by the Israeli pianist, Frank Pelleg, at the IMI's Fifth Anniversary Celebration in December 1966.