Hommages III. Sonata No. 1 'Gothic' Piano Solo - Digital Sheet Music

SKU: A0.1384065

David Fraser’s third composition is ‘Sonata No.1 Gothic’, dedicated to Sergei Prokofiev, not as a representation of this genre of music, but in form. Specifically, Fraser uses a similar structure in Movement 1, starting at Measure 72 marked “più mosso e con abbandono”, to the notoriously difficult “colossale” section of Prokofiev’s ‘Piano Concerto No. 2, Op. 16’, Movement 1. The sonata’s Movement 3 also follows a structure parallel to Movement 4 of Prokofiev’s aforementioned piano concerto, employing fiendishly challenging syncopated jumps in both hands. Written in ternary form, Movements 1 and 3 of Fraser’s sonata are in C minor; Movement 2 is in E-flat minor, instead of the expected relative or dominant key. This work has explosive sentiments of rage that elicit a sense of immensity and darkness, touching on the macabre yet maintaining an alluring nature. 

The inspiration for the second movement comes from the German fairy tale Hansel and Gretel by the Brothers Grimm. The music begins with Hansel and Gretel walking into the witch’s house made of gingerbread, cake, and candy. The children have a sense of unease and fright once they enter the house, which is demonstrated in the music by the eeriness and darkness of the harmonies. The term oscuro is found at the beginning of the music – this is the Italian word for dark. The repeat, which begins at measure 25, is marked sempre sotto voce which translates to always under the voice, meaning always in a hushed tonal quality and dynamic volume. This section represents the children trying to tip-toe out of the house without the witch taking notice. The repeat is almost identical to the beginning section, with the exception of measures 39 and 40 which have ties in the right hand; the similar measures 15 and 16 in the first section do not have these ties. The right-hand trills in measures 53 through 55 symbolize the children attempting to quietly turn a key to unlock the door, which would lead them to freedom.

This is the full version of the Sonata, containing all three movements, and is the third piece from 'Hommages: Suite pour le Piano'. 39 pages. ISMN 979-0-800277-00-9.