Sonata For Piano
Alex Shapiro
About this work:
Sonata for Piano
(Solo Piano).
Total duration ca. 16 minutes (1997; revised 1999)
Published by Activist Music.
Three movement work: "Moderato," Lento; Andante,"
and "Scherzo."
27 pages, 8.5" x 11".
First version premiered in May 1998
in Los Angeles, CA. by Barbara Burgan.
Revised version with new first movement premiered in April 1999 in Santa Clara, CA. by Teresa McCollough.
Recorded in August 1999 by Teresa McCollough, piano.
"...[Shapiro's] piano sonata is tough, tightly controlled motivically in the manner of mid-century American serious composers, but it is also musically tense and expressive. This is the genuine article."
— Gordon Rumson, Music & Vision Magazine, May 2001
Sonata for Piano is a three movement work written in the structural tradition of many classical sonatas. Throughout the piece, an emphasis is placed on the motivic development of strong melodies and rhythms. The first movement, Moderato, explores two themes that are first developed independently and ultimately are interwoven as two parts of a whole. A set of jazz harmonies are subtly implied against more angular melodic lines. The second movement, Lento; Andante, takes the listener on an emotional, dreamlike journey that leads to a passionate outburst, and the final movement, Scherzo, is just that— an impish, audience pleasing romp through bitonality that ends with a laugh, and can also serve as a quick, amusing encore piece at the end of a recital.
Year composed: 1997
Duration: 00:16:00
Ensemble type: Keyboard:Piano
Instrumentation: 1 Piano