Also on this disk for fp and mandoline is a grand sonata by Hummel, apparently the premiere work for this combination. A competent piece but none of its movements has any of the charm of B's four works in the genre, of which a set of variations is the most substantial (circa 9.5 mins). I don't think an instrument of the mandoline's nature can credibly be accomodated in a serious large scale sonata, at least alongside the piano.
------------------
"If I were but of noble birth..." - Rod Corkin
Originally posted by Rod: I don't think an instrument of the mandoline's nature can credibly be accomodated in a serious large scale sonata, at least alongside the piano.
One large scale sonata that was written for an unusual instrument was Schubert's sonata for Arpeggione and piano - I have only heard it though played on the 'cello (Rostropovich and Britten - wonderful recording). The Arpeggione (invented by Staufer in Vienna, 1823) was a six stringed instrument tuned as for guitar but played with a bow.
------------------
'Man know thyself'
[This message has been edited by Peter (edited 08-15-2001).]
Comment