Piano Sonata (Reubke)


The Piano Sonata in B-flat minor is a work written by Julius Reubke between December 1856 and March 1857. Although it remains very obscure and is little performed, it combines the Lisztian technique of thematic transformation, colourful harmonies, virtuosic piano writing and a wide array of characters and sentiments.
The sonata was published posthumously, edited by the composer's brother, in 1871.

Description

The work opens with an Allegro maestoso, characterised by a dramatic, rising forte first subject. This rising motif, is a significant theme of the movement, recalled at various points throughout. The main theme is built over a chordal structure of i, bII6, viio7, i4-3, v, and VI6/4. The work has other, similarly interesting modulations, presented as undecorated chordal series. The second theme, marked Quasi Recitativo is written in a free and vocal style. Its melancholy second subject, in the distant key of E major, recalls something of Reubke's own sadly short life.