In late September, following the inspiring (and technique-building) Jr. Hanon Competition, three students will perform three different Sonatinas, and other students, who will be working on a Sonatina next year, will evaluate the performances. It is not a competition, but rather a first look at what it means to evaluate another pianist and what it means, also, to be evaluated! Professionalism warrants a closer examination of piano playing in terms of dynamics, expressiveness, and other aspects. We are using a rubric to conduct our evaluations.
In addition, we will go over the qualities of the Sonatina, or “Little Sonata” that have made it such an enduring art form, representing the Classical, Romantic, and Modern eras!
Our three Sonatinas are from the Classical (c.1750-1820) and Romantic (1800-1910) Periods:
Romantic German Composer Fritz Spindler (1817-1905), Sonatina in C Major, Op. 157, No. Vivo.
Late German Classical Composer Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827), Sonatina in F Major, Anh. No.
Late Italian Classical Composer Muzio Clementi (1752-1832), Sonatina in C Major, Op. 36, No. 1, Spiritoso.
We will discuss the Sonata Form as evidenced in the Clementi, an ad libitum found in the Beethoven, the Alberti bass found in the Spindler, and passages with motifs, phrasing, articulations, modulations, pedaling, and more.
I am looking forward to our very first pop-up Sonatina Salon!
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