Craven: Set Two for Piano

In July 2026, Métier presents “Set Two for Piano” by the visionary composer Eric Craven, the latest release in a series introducing his ‘non-prescriptive’ compositional method. This unique method is characterized by different levels of notation that offer the performer varying degrees of freedom to shape the music around a fixed core. The composer explains his hope is to ‘enable immediate success for every pianist, even those with modest skills’ (Pieces for Pianists Vol. 1 & 2), by creating something beautiful and expressive, while simultaneously offering more accomplished pianists the challenge of exploring new territory. Irish pianist Mary Dullea is Eric Craven’s partner on all these recordings. This new collection offers 12 highly entertaining pieces in a range of different styles, from toccata-like etudes to jaunty waltzes, often with a jazzy framework, and all varying between low-, mid-, and high-order notation – the levels of ‘non-prescription’ with which Craven annotates the score. ‘Low-Order' refers to music that is notated with pitch and rhythm as well as bar lines; ‘High-Order' comprises only pitches; and ‘Middle-Order' lies somewhere in between. No further details such as tempo, time signatures, dynamics, articulation, character, or duration are specified. In the ‘High Order’ pieces, the pianist has the option to play them differently in every performance.

Mary Dullea enjoys a highly successful career as a soloist and chamber musician, performing and broadcasting regularly on the international stage. Her extraordinary discography testifies to her commitment to new music. She is currently Head of Performance at Royal Holloway, University of London, where she also serves as a Professor of Music. She has collaborated for many years with Eric Craven, with whom she has released numerous recordings.