SONATA For PIANO

Composed: 1998
Commission:  Fortnightly Musical Club of Cleveland
Premiere: 10/24/99 Kathryn Brown, The Cleveland Institute of Music New Music Ensemble, Cleveland, OH
Duration: 8 minutes
Instrumentation:  Solo piano

PROGRAM NOTES

The Sonata for Piano was commissioned by the Fortnightly Musical Club in 1998 and premiered beautifully by pianist, Kathryn Brown. It is a very tricky and showy piece that demands all the resources of a pianist. Utilizing one pitch cell throughout in two contrasting ways, the first is aggressive, rhythmic, driving and rumbling, while the other is lyrical, melodic and tender. The Sonata is an eight-minute work that stands very well on its own. It also became the first movement of Under the Summer Tree.