The Pianoforte Sonata eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 201 pages of information about The Pianoforte Sonata.

The Pianoforte Sonata eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 201 pages of information about The Pianoforte Sonata.

[Music illustration]

an attractive Adagio, and a dainty and pleasing Rondo pastorale.  The influence of Beethoven and Clementi is great; the individuality of Potter, small.  But the sonata is thoroughly well written, and—­at any rate as an educational piece—­the Rondo deserves reprinting.

Sir G.A.  Macfarren composed three sonatas for the pianoforte.  No. 3, in G minor, dedicated to Miss Agnes Zimmermann, is a work which presents several features of interest.  In the first long movement (an Allegro moderato) there is no repeat.  The exposition section really contains three subjects:  an opening one in the principal key, a second in D flat, and a third in the orthodox key of the relative major.  The development section, in which there is some solid counterpoint, is decidedly clever; much use is made in it of the second subject mentioned above.  The Andante is a movement of simple structure.  A brisk Scherzo, in the making of which Weber and Schumann seem to have lent a helping hand, leads to a long Finale,—­the last, but by no means the most successful of the four movements.  We have just spoken of influences; Weber may be said to have presided at the birth of the opening Allegro, and Mendelssohn at that of the Finale.  The appearance in the Finale of the D flat theme from the Allegro deserves note.  This sonata may not be an inspired work, yet it has many excellent qualities.

Of Sir Sterndale Bennett’s two sonatas, the 1st, in F minor (Op. 13, dedicated to Mendelssohn), commences with a long movement (Moderato expressivo), in which there are traces of the master to whom it is dedicated; it is followed by a clever Scherzo and Trio, a melodious Serenata, and a weak Presto agitato.  The first, second, and last movements are in F minor, the third in F major.  Schumann, in a brief notice of the work, describes it as excellent.  The sonata (Op. 46) entitled “The Maid of Orleans” commences with an Andante pastorale in A flat, above which are written the following lines from Act iv.  Scene 1 of Schiller’s play, Die Jungfrau von Orleans:—­

    “Schuldlos trieb ich meine Laemmer
    Auf des stillen Berges Hoeh.”

    “In innocence I led my sheep
    Adown the mountain’s silent steep.”

The movement is graceful and pleasing.  Then follows an Allegro marziale:—­

    “Den Feldruf hoer ich maechtig zu mir dringen
    Das Schlactross steigt, und die Trompeten klingen.”

    Prologue:  Scene 4.

    “The clanging trumpets sound, the chargers rear,
    And the loud war cry thunders in mine ear.”

Then an “In Prison” section with suitable superscription—­

    “Hoere mich, Gott, in meiner hoechsten Noth,” etc.

    Act v.  Scene 2.

    “Hear me, O God, in mine extremity.”

Lastly, a Finale—­

    “Kurz ist das Schmerz, und ewig ist die Freude.”

    Act v.  Scene 14.

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The Pianoforte Sonata from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.