Samiksha Jaiswal (Editor)

Sonatina (John Ireland)

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Sonatina is a work for piano solo in three movements composed in 1926–27 by John Ireland (1879–1962). He dedicated it to his friend, the conductor and BBC music producer, Edward Clark.

A performance takes about 10½ minutes. The movements are marked:

  1. Moderato
  2. Quasi lento
  3. Rondo. Ritmico, non troppo allegro

The term sonatina has no single strict definition, but is rather a title applied by the composer to a piece in basic sonata form which is shorter and lighter in character, or technically more elementary, than a typical sonata.

The Rondo was used as a test piece in the 1928 Daily Express Piano Competition, which was won by Cyril Smith. It had been recorded by William Murdoch as a guide to competitors. Lewis Foreman has written, "that Ireland even then recognised the piano not only for its romantic and singing qualities, but also - almost Bartók like - as a percussion instrument".

References

Sonatina (John Ireland) Wikipedia