Piano Sonata (Dukas)
Encyclopedia
The Piano Sonata in E-flat minor is a musical work composed by Paul Dukas
between 1899 and 1900, and published in 1901.
The work has four movements:
The total playing time is about 45 minutes.
In the first decade of the 20th century, following the immense success of his orchestral work L'apprenti sorcier, Dukas completed two complex and technically demanding large-scale works for solo piano: the Piano Sonata, dedicated to Saint-Saëns
, and Variations, Interlude and Finale on a Theme by Rameau
(1902). In Dukas's piano works critics have discerned the influence of Beethoven, or, "Beethoven as he was interpreted to the French mind by César Franck". Both works were premiered by Édouard Risler
, a celebrated pianist of the era.
In an analysis of the work in The Musical Quarterly
in 1928, the critic Irving Schwerké wrote:
The Sonata, described by the critic Edward Lockspeiser as "huge and somewhat recondite", did not enter the mainstream repertoire, but it has more recently been championed by such pianists as Marc-André Hamelin
and Margaret Fingerhut
.
Paul Dukas
Paul Abraham Dukas was a French composer, critic, scholar and teacher. A studious man, of retiring personality, he was intensely self-critical, and he abandoned and destroyed many of his compositions...
between 1899 and 1900, and published in 1901.
The work has four movements:
- I Modérément vif (expressif et marqué)
- II Calme – un peu lent – très soutenu
- III Vivement – avec légèreté
- IV Très lent
The total playing time is about 45 minutes.
In the first decade of the 20th century, following the immense success of his orchestral work L'apprenti sorcier, Dukas completed two complex and technically demanding large-scale works for solo piano: the Piano Sonata, dedicated to Saint-Saëns
Camille Saint-Saëns
Charles-Camille Saint-Saëns was a French Late-Romantic composer, organist, conductor, and pianist. He is known especially for The Carnival of the Animals, Danse macabre, Samson and Delilah, Piano Concerto No. 2, Cello Concerto No. 1, Havanaise, Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso, and his Symphony...
, and Variations, Interlude and Finale on a Theme by Rameau
Variations, Interlude and Finale on a Theme by Rameau
The Variations, Interlude and Finale on a Theme by Rameau were composed by Paul Dukas between 1899 and 1902...
(1902). In Dukas's piano works critics have discerned the influence of Beethoven, or, "Beethoven as he was interpreted to the French mind by César Franck". Both works were premiered by Édouard Risler
Édouard Risler
Joseph-Édouard Risler was a French pianist.- Biography :Risler was born in Baden-Baden of a German mother and an Alsatian father. He studied under Louis Diémer, Théodore Dubois and Émile Descombes at the Conservatoire de Paris from 1883 to 1890...
, a celebrated pianist of the era.
In an analysis of the work in The Musical Quarterly
The Musical Quarterly
The Musical Quarterly is the oldest academic journal on music in America. Originally established in 1915 by Oscar Sonneck, the journal was edited by Sonneck until his death in 1928...
in 1928, the critic Irving Schwerké wrote:
The Sonata, described by the critic Edward Lockspeiser as "huge and somewhat recondite", did not enter the mainstream repertoire, but it has more recently been championed by such pianists as Marc-André Hamelin
Marc-André Hamelin
Marc-André Hamelin, OC, CQ, is a French Canadian virtuoso pianist and composer.Born in Montreal, Quebec, Marc-André Hamelin began his piano studies at the age of five. His father, a pharmacist by trade who was also a pianist, introduced him to the works of Alkan, Godowsky, and Sorabji when he was...
and Margaret Fingerhut
Margaret Fingerhut
Margaret Ruth Fingerhut is a British concert pianist who has performed in many different countries and has become well-known for her innovative and entertaining recital programmes which combine popular and unusual repertoire...
.