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The truth is, most sonatas are rarely performed. Among them are sonatas of poor quality by well-known composers, and high-quality sonatas by obscure composers, in addition to poor quality sonatas by obscure composers.
Long works are harder to program than short ones. The bigger problem is that nothing written for piano after Ravel, Rachmaninoff, Prokofiev, a little Stravinsky and Shostakovich is of interest to me. The Copland sonata evokes nothing. Manuel Ponce wrote a large collection of mazurkas, concert etudes, and pieces based on folk tunes. His piano (not guitar) sonatas are unattractive. Do modern composers succumb to the the siren *song* of atonality more often when they attempt longer works?
Clementi wrote a few sonatas .Some were played and recorded by Horowitz who felt they were neglected unduly. Kabalevesky wrote a few which are recorded . Albin Berg the expressionist composer wrote at least one I have heard
Clementi wrote a few sonatas .Some were played and recorded by Horowitz who felt they were neglected unduly.
Agree.
If I could pick any piece that I'd love to be able to play -- I don't mean have the opportunity to play, I mean just flat-out be able to play ...any piece at all by any composer, it would be Clementi's F# minor Sonata. The unplayable thing (for me, and I'm sure for many others) is the 3rd's and 6th's in the last movement (which starts at 7:41 on here).
BTW I don't mean literally totally unplayable. I play it -- "sort of." Not how it needs to be.
Albin Berg the expressionist composer wrote at least one I have heard
Berg only published this one sonata which is a wonderful piece. But I have been lucky to hear it twice already live so it must not be that rarely performed?
Albin Berg the expressionist composer wrote at least one I have heard
Berg only published this one sonata which is a wonderful piece. But I have been lucky to hear it twice already live so it must not be that rarely performed?
I somehow think you are lucky to have heard it twice .Perhaps I am wrong .
Berg s sonata cannot be based on sonata form surely ? Although not strictly 12tone ,I think he makes use of a kind of melodic series . So is it a true Sonata ? Is it just a set of related movements ? What makes a sonata ? Are Scarlattis works sonatas even though they are in one movement ?
Berg s sonata cannot be based on sonata form surely ? Although not strictly 12tone ,I think he makes use of a kind of melodic series . So is it a true Sonata ? Is it just a set of related movements ? What makes a sonata ? Are Scarlattis works sonatas even though they are in one movement ?
Berg Sonata Op.1 is very much in a classical sonata form, with two main themes, with a clearly defined exposition, development, recapitulation and even a brief coda. It's not strictly atonal, though its extended harmony intertwined with rich chromaticism obscures the B-minor tonal centre. As the matter of fact, you hear the B-minor chord at the very beginning and at the very end of the piece, but its rich harmony actually follows very traditional rules as well.
It is certainly one of the most profound Op.1 ever written and I've performed it every now and then for the last 35 years. I still discover new things in it every time I revisit it.
Berg Sonata Op.1 is very much in a classical sonata form, with two main themes, with a clearly defined exposition, development, recapitulation and even a brief coda. It's not strictly atonal, though its extended harmony intertwined with rich chromaticism obscures the B-minor tonal centre. As the matter of fact, you hear the B-minor chord at the very beginning and at the very end of the piece, but its rich harmony actually follows very traditional rules as well.
It is certainly one of the most profound Op.1 ever written and I've performed it every now and then for the last 35 years. I still discover new things in it every time I revisit it.
...any piece at all by any composer, it would be Clementi's F# minor Sonata.
