Donald Hollier: Sonatina for Pianoforte (1971) - Explosive and Aggressive

Abstract

"I wrote this sonatina in response to a request from former fellow student Donald Thornton. Probably because we were now both teachers, I designed a piece that would introduce to young pianists the many new effects that were in vogue. Consequently, the work is a survey of the atmospheric possibilities of piano playing. The work was never intended to be serious! It is cast in simple musical form, in the usual three short movements of a sonatina: fast-slow-fast. The last movement is a variation form, using a serial theme but very much tongue in cheek. In fact it is marked to be played with humour." -- Donald Hollier