Graduate recital in piano

Includes recorded audio files in WAV and MP3 formats, 54:39 in lengthMy program selections span three musical historical periods: the classical period, the romantic period and the contemporary period. The Sonata in Eb, Opus 31, nr. 3 by Beethoven illustrates the format of a classical sonata, consisting of four movements. The energetic, expressive and contrasting sonata-form first movement is followed by the light, humorous, dancelike Scherzo. The lyrical, simple Minuett precedes the characteristic, animated rondo-form fourth movement with its frequent unexpected turn of phrase, unconventional modulations and subtleties of formal structure. This classical format may be contrasted with the romantic Sonata in A minor, Opus 164 by Schubert, which has been more influenced by Mozart and Haydn than Beethoven. The external form is classical. However, instead of the expansive thematic development of Beethoven, Schubert gives us direct, terse and somber, sometimes solemn and serene, sometimes stormy and dramatic melodies. The dynamic, overwhelming first movement dominates the entire work. The slow, introspective, expressive second movement is constantly interrupted by a recurrence of a menacing rhythmic motive. The rapid, contrapuntal third movement, despite the lyrical retreats, speaks out in defiance to release some of the highly emotional tension built up in the first two movements. Prokofieff composed a Sonata which is quite different from those by Beethoven and Schubert. A long one movement work with many contrasting explosive sections linked together by an unsettling rhythmic triplet figure contrasts with the multi-movement structure of Beethoven and Schubert. Chopin's Barcarolle, Opus 60 has been juxtaposed with Schubert's Sonata in A minor. These two compositions, written in the same romantic era, are similar due to their evocative and emotional character, their lyrical and emphatic themes, and their chromatic harmonies and modulations. The Barcarolle, however, is an example of a one movement treatment of strongly lyrical themes woven with florid ornamentation. The wedding of these historical periods and different compositional formats create a particularly interesting, educational and exciting program