M1020
Sonata No. 3
for Piano
and Bb Clarinet
by John G.
MacKay Jr.
1. Leggiero
2. Andante Comodo
3. Waltz-like
4. In a Lyrical Manner with Movement
Score: 58 pages
Part: 16 pages
Duration: approximately 26 minutes
Level: Advanced
Dedication: Karen Dannessa
CD Available
Click on the Listen buttons to hear
sound clips.
Click on the pictures to view score
samples.
(*note: you may have to enlarge your view
to 100% for clarity.)
About
Sonata No. 3 for Piano and Clarinet was
composed in 1995 for Karen Dannessa, who premiered the piece along with
the composer at the keyboard. She later recorded the sonata on the CD
American Lyrique, which is available
through Tundradogs Music Online. Dr. Dannessa will be performing MacKay's
third clarinet sonata this summer at the
2007 International Clarinet Association ClarinetFest in Vancouver,
British Columbia, Canada.
This is music that you'll fall in love
with.
Romantic. Haunting. Moody. Brahms-like. So
very MacKay. This piece is masterfully composed. The entire sonata could
very loosely be considered a theme and variations. MacKay has created a
stirring, satisfying "canto" (melody) which recurs within each of the four
movements. You can Listen
to it at the end of the sound clip of the third movement. This simple and
pure melody has an English folk tune quality to it, and although it
remains quite independent of the other themes and musical ideas within the
sonata, it's carefully constructed recurring presence lends cohesiveness.
MacKay wisely doesn't overdo it, leaving the audience craving more. The
astute listener may also note the return of the main theme of the first
movement returning in the last movement, brilliantly rounding out the
sonata. This is a rare masterpiece, written in our time.
The Sonata No. 3 is a journey you will want
to take again and again, whether you are a performer or just love great
music.
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