Sonatina

Duration: 10:00
Date of Composition: 1988
Recording by Julian Jacobson on CRI: CRI CD 869
Click to buy from Amazon.com


PROGRAM NOTES: Written in 1988, the Sonatina is in three connected movements – fast, slow, fast.  It uses diatonic pitch material, progressing through several modes, though it could scarcely be considered tonal.  The outer movements feature a web of cross accents and articulations.  The central movement is a long, hesitant line that almost coalesces into a song.

The sparkling sonatinas of Clementi and Kuhlau (which at some point, every young pianist must learn), as well as Ravel’s classic Sonatine, constitute my sonatina world and were doubtlessly an inspiration.              

                                                                                                                        -James Sellars


SHEET MUSIC DOWNLOADS