ARNOLD ROSNER
COMPOSER 1945–2013

Opus 48

Piano Sonata No. 2 (1970)

for Piano

  • Toccata I: Allegro con fuoco
  • Passacaglia: Largo
  • Toccata II: Allegro con fuoco

Duration: 12 min.

Dedication: to Jonathan Dzik

Recording: Albany TROY1119

Premiere: 197?: J. Dzik

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My second piano sonata pushes the envelope of the first sonata somewhat—neo-Baroque, rhythmic, vigorous, to the point of fury. The sonatas of Bartók and Prokofiev may come to mind. The two outer movements are martellato, in 9/8 and 7/8 rhythm respectively, with their share of cross-rhythmic splashes; major-minor mixes abound again. Even the very first harmony is an A major chord in the right hand, fortissimo, against an octave low C-natural in the left. The middle movement is a slow passacaglia, not utterly strict in repetition but close to the spirit in gesture and phrase length. The work is dedicated to my dear friend Jonathan Dzik, of nearly 50 years, who gave many performances of the first sonata and subsequent works. (Notes by Arnold Rosner)