Sonata dell’Arte

Description

The name itself immediately submerges the piece in an atmosphere of buffoonery and theatricality; a kaleidoscopic changing of masks, rhythms and moods. The themes of a comic march and arias in the ‘lamento’ spirit are intertwined in the sonata form of the first movement. The  waltz-like second movement imitates a brass band, with a pastoral theme in a Siciliano rhythm in the middle section, suddenly ending with a few bars of a funeral procession. The positive movement and energy of the classically inspired finale, with it’s small, meditative cadenza for the soloist,  affirm the joyful aspect of the whole piece.