Instrumentation: Solo Cello
Duration: 15 minutes
Year: 2023
Program Notes
It is daunting to contribute a Sonata to an instrument that already possesses a rich and varied body of repertoire, so the writing of this solo Sonata for cello was no easy task. With any unaccompanied work, new solutions must be found to create a satisfying sense of structure and flow. In this Sonata, I have opted for the four-movement structure to anchor my musical material, starting with a gritty opening movement that presents repeated fifths that become a structural waypoint in later movements. The second movement is a teetering harmonic interlude that builds on the last chords of the first movement as inspiration. The third movement is an atonal scherzo filled with winding chromatic runs and unexpected rhythms. The fourth and final movement closes with heavy chords reminiscent of parts of the first and second movements.
This Sonata was commissioned by Spanish cellist Juan Aguilera Cerezo and made possible by the generous support from the Canada Council for the Arts.
Score
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Score Sample
Roydon Tse 