Publication Information

• Publication Year: 2001
• First Publisher: Gérard Billaudot
• Instrumentation: Piano Solo
• Total Performance Time: Approximately 15 minutes (1-2 minutes per piece)

Damase's Piano Etudes

The following four etudes for piano by Damase can be mentioned. This work, marked "intermediate" (moyenne difficulté) in the published score, is the easiest among them.

• Techniques for Loosening Fingers (published 1966. A 4-page piece with continuous Hannon-style two-hand unisons)
• Eight Etudes (published 1977. Advanced etudes suitable for concerts)
• Formulas and Problems (published 1983. 10 pieces in total. Approximately Czerny Op. 40-50 level)
• Trivial Penances (this work. published 2001)

About "Trivial Penances"

This work was published by Billaudot as part of a collection by pianist and educator Brigitte Bouthinon-Dumas. It is an accessible and excellent collection, approximately at the level of Czerny Op. 30. Each piece is two pages long (spread) and the collection consists of 10 varied pieces, broadly categorized as follows. The difficulty levels are not in sequential order, so it is not necessary to approach them from the first piece onwards.

• Pieces with strong originality by Damase (Nos. 1, 4, 5, 10)
• Hannon-style pieces focusing on five-finger independence (Nos. 3, 7, 9)
• Czerny-style pieces focusing on specific figures/playing techniques (Nos. 2, 6, 8)

There is no obscurity or mechanical dryness typical of contemporary music. The challenges presented are all orthodox and possess timeless versatility, and the good distribution between the left and right hands is also noteworthy. Familiar melodies, as well as modern and sophisticated harmonies and modulations, are abundantly incorporated, making them suitable for repeated performance and appreciation. It is highly recommended to actively utilize this as an excellent contemporary teaching material to supplement the main classical etudes used in the application stage.

List of Pieces

• No. 1 Moderato, 4/4 time, C major.
• No. 2 Allegretto, 12/8 time, C major.
• No. 3 Moderato, 4/4 time, G major.
• No. 4 Allegro, 2/4 time, C major.
• No. 5 Andantino, 3/4 time, D minor.
• No. 6 Allegro, 2/4 time, G major.
• No. 7 Allegretto, 4/4 time, C major.
• No. 8 Allegro Moderato, 4/4 time, E minor.
• No. 9 Moderato, 2/2 time, C major.
• No. 10 Allegro, 6/8 time, D major.