I composed this Sonatina somewhat as a
resflection upon simultaneous catastrophies:
the Covid-19 pandemic that has plagued
the world since about February 2020, and
the horrific, lightening-ignited fires that
are currently raging throughout California
and quite literally surrounding the area
where I live in the South Bay below San
Francisco. The traditional "Dies Irae," —
the Sequence from "The Mass for the Dead" —
popped into my head as a catalyst of t...(+)
I composed this Sonatina somewhat as a
resflection upon simultaneous catastrophies:
the Covid-19 pandemic that has plagued
the world since about February 2020, and
the horrific, lightening-ignited fires that
are currently raging throughout California
and quite literally surrounding the area
where I live in the South Bay below San
Francisco. The traditional "Dies Irae," —
the Sequence from "The Mass for the Dead" —
popped into my head as a catalyst of thematic
material for this sonatina. (The music and text
date from the 13th century.) The middle
movement of this Sonatina provides a ray of
hope, however; my general intention being to
provide a musical score with the subtitle
"From Darkness to Hope" ... and, eventually,
to light and life. (25 August 2020)
Daniel, EPIC is not a word I have ever heard in regards to my music. I LIKE IT. I am so pleased that you found this early sonatina, though composed only a couple of years ago. The Dies Irae is, of course, not only a beautiful requiem sequence; it is also THE ONE TUNE that Rachmaninoff incorporated into many of his works, and which other composers have referenced as well. My snippets of the melody are drawn from several sections of the original chant. ? Thank you so much for your generous and affirming comments. I am most grateful for them.
First movement: a "Pagian" Dies Irae. Absolutely amazing, and more approachable than Liszt's "Totentanz" for example, haha.
The second movement does imo exactly what you intended.
The third movement is very accurately marked "con moto". If I could, I would have played it more aggresively in some parts but god it sounds epic. One of the best sonatinas I've listened from you, congrats!
SHEET MUSIC
EPIC is not a word I have ever heard in regards to my music. I LIKE IT. I am so pleased that you found this early sonatina, though composed only a couple of years ago. The Dies Irae is, of course, not only a beautiful requiem sequence; it is also THE ONE TUNE that Rachmaninoff incorporated into many of his works, and which other composers have referenced as well. My snippets of the melody are drawn from several sections of the original chant. ? Thank you so much for your generous and affirming comments. I am most grateful for them.