Sonatina (John Ireland)


Sonatina is a work for piano solo in three movements composed in 192627 by John Ireland. He dedicated it to his friend, the conductor and BBC music producer, Edward Clark.
A performance takes about 10½ minutes. The movements are marked:
  1. Moderato
  2. Quasi lento
  3. Rondo. Ritmico, non troppo allegro
The term sonatina has no single strict definition, but is rather a title applied by the composer to a piece in basic sonata form which is shorter and lighter in character, or technically more elementary, than a typical sonata.
The Rondo was used as a test piece in the 1928 Daily Express Piano Competition, which was won by Cyril Smith. It had been recorded by William Murdoch as a guide to competitors. Lewis Foreman has written, "that Ireland even then recognised the piano not only for its romantic and singing qualities, but also - almost Bartók like - as a percussion instrument".