A native of New York, John Corigliano comes by his musical talents honestly. His father, John Sr., was for 23 years the concertmaster of the New York Philharmonic and his mother an accomplished pianist. Growing out of the distinctly American voice of the mid-twentieth century, he has redefined the traditional genres of solo concerto and symphony, combining them with narrative and even philosophical elements that have garnered him major recognition and awards.
The Sonata for Violin and Piano, however, predates Corigliano’s ascent as one of the most important composers of this era. Written in 1963 for his father, the Sonata was his first published chamber work and brought him to prominence as a composer when it won the chamber music prize at the 1964 Spoleto Festival. It has entered the standard violin/piano repertory.
Given its date of composition, the Sonata flies in the face of European and American academic serialism and unremitting atonality. Its language is lyrical and tonal, although punctuated with Stravinsky-like dissonance and rhythms. Structurally, it adheres to the conventional “sonata” model, including the increasingly common slow middle section for the exuberant rondo finale. Each movement is centered around short but clearly delineated and repeated motivic elements. Not surprisingly given its dedicatee, it provides the violin with an intense technical workout.
Classical Music | Violin Music
John Corigliano
Sonata for Violin and Piano (1963) Play
Recorded on 06/07/2016, uploaded on 06/07/2016
Musician's or Publisher's Notes
A native of New York, John Corigliano comes by his musical talents honestly. His father, John Sr., was for 23 years the concertmaster of the New York Philharmonic and his mother an accomplished pianist. Growing out of the distinctly American voice of the mid-twentieth century, he has redefined the traditional genres of solo concerto and symphony, combining them with narrative and even philosophical elements that have garnered him major recognition and awards.
The Sonata for Violin and Piano, however, predates Corigliano’s ascent as one of the most important composers of this era. Written in 1963 for his father, the Sonata was his first published chamber work and brought him to prominence as a composer when it won the chamber music prize at the 1964 Spoleto Festival. It has entered the standard violin/piano repertory.
Given its date of composition, the Sonata flies in the face of European and American academic serialism and unremitting atonality. Its language is lyrical and tonal, although punctuated with Stravinsky-like dissonance and rhythms. Structurally, it adheres to the conventional “sonata” model, including the increasingly common slow middle section for the exuberant rondo finale. Each movement is centered around short but clearly delineated and repeated motivic elements. Not surprisingly given its dedicatee, it provides the violin with an intense technical workout.
More music by John Corigliano
Sonata for Violin and Piano (1963)
L’Invitation au Voyage
Etude Fantasy
Chimes of Freedom, from Mr. Tambourine Man: Seven Poems of Bob Dylan
Postlude: Forever Young, from Mr. Tambourine Man: Seven Poems of Bob Dylan
Three Irish Floksongs
Performances by same musician(s)
Berceuse in D Major, Op.16
Carmen Fantasy
Classical Music for the Internet Era™
Courtesy of International Music Foundation.