| Movements/SectionsMov'ts/Sec's | 3 movements |
|---|---|
| Composition Year | 1992 ca. |
| Genre Categories | Sonatas; For viola, piano; Scores featuring the viola; |
| Work Title | Viola Sonata No.2 |
|---|---|
| Alternative. Title | for Viola and Piano |
| Composer | Sydeman, William Jay |
| I-Catalogue NumberI-Cat. No. | IWS 56 |
| Movements/SectionsMov'ts/Sec's | 3 movements
|
| Year/Date of CompositionY/D of Comp. | 1992 ca. |
| First Publication. | 2014 |
| Average DurationAvg. Duration | 11 minutes |
| Composer Time PeriodComp. Period | Modern |
| Piece Style | Modern |
| Instrumentation | viola, piano |
Ah the year of the viola works! Well, I was playing the viola myself – practicing and diligently attending chamber music workshops (for which I was ill prepared). Perhaps as penance, I did woo my fellow violists with a few sonatas appropriate for the enthusiastic amateur (such as me).
If a modern, mainly pan-tonal work could be considered gay, this first movement fits the bill. A bit of a workout for both violist and pianist with tight counterpoint for both enclosed in a sort of dance-like framework; a fugue-like middle part; and a return to the beginning with parts traded Bach (misspelling intentional) and forth.
The second movement starts heartfelt and becomes somewhat spoofy/spooky (à la Pink Panther). Fortunately it returns to and further develops the lyric aspect (whew!), becoming decidedly technical in its demands as it progresses.
Perpetual motion third movement separates the men from the boys… the girls from the churls, if you prefer. Running 16ths in the viola against triplet-eighths keep it lively and a half until it.... finally....... stops.
– W. Jay Sydeman
