Huw Dixon

Four Pieces for Piano, Opus 4 (2024/25)

No 3: Toccata Ecossaise

The Toccata Ecossaise 

This is the most abstract of pieces, with no specific programme. The work is in 7/4 (or 21/8) and so has an uneven swing to it. For some reason the rhythm made me think of Scottish dances, so I chose this name (other possibilities were “Seven Lords a leaping”). The Toccata bits are two fast moving sections with the two hands with different chords in contrary motion. 

The first Toccata section is preceded by a brief introduction that sets up the harmonies and the Scottish rhythms.  After the Toccata’s cascading chords climax, the opening chords are recalled with a new melody introduced to end the first section.

The second section begins in a modified version, with each beat of the seven beats in a bar being divided int three, not two as before. The beats remain the same, but everything seems faster. After a reprise of the opening in this new rhythm, a riff appears in the bass line and new more hurried voices come in, to a big climax where both hands play in unison. This takes us to our second Toccata section which is even quicker than the first, finishing with another climax which leads us back into the quiet opening chords. The second theme from the first section returns, but is heavy and “marked” with the riff. 

The piece slows down and ends quietly, as we go back to the rhythm of the first section which slowly fades away and slows down until the final optimistic chord.