Hello all,
I wrote this Piano Sonata some 7 years ago, and I recently decided to have it recorded. It is just something I've always wanted to get done, as I never felt the piece was truly finished until hearing it on a proper acoustic piano. Here is a video of pianist Jorian Van Nee performing the work in its entirety on a beautifully restored Bechstein grand. I've included the score for you to follow along if you wish.
This Sonata explores the realms of nostalgia, love, and the magic of youthful summertime. The Sonata is a derivative work as it draws its opening theme from a very short tune known as "The Roost," which gained popularity in the video game "Animal Crossing: Wild World," composed by Kazumi Totaka. I recall specifically choosing this tune when starting the composition of the piece not only for the pianistic nature of it, but also as I felt it to be the anthem of one particular summer in my life above all; and I vividly remember playing Wild World during that summer. After introducing Totaka's theme, I try to develop and expand upon it, crafting an original 25 minutes of material thereafter.
I really must commend Jorian on his efforts for this piece. Looking back at my score from 7 years ago, it is far from perfect, yet he worked with it and interpreted the piece wonderfully, alongside navigating all the technical challenges the piece presents with ease.
If you're short on time, I recommend movement 3, as for me personally, it has the most gravitas. - Begins at 18:36 in the video
Acknowledged shortcomings of the work:
-Seeing as how this is what I'd consider an "older work" of mine, I do not feel it is truly indicative of my personal style, nor does it display efforts and progress I've made thereafter in my studies of composition in general, but I am still proud of it despite the fact that I acknowledge it is not the most innovative piece of music.
-In hindsight, there are certainly some pastiche moments, notably, a lot of Beethoven influence.
-The main theme and overall harmonic language are a bit trite, and many may frown at a theme that starts in the all-too-cliché sounding rising 6ths, but maybe it can still be enjoyable. At least I have an excuse in this situation as I did not write the opening theme.
-The score has many, many things I'd have corrected in writing this now, but Jorian felt comfortable working with it as it stood, so here it stands.
Replies
I looked at the score before starting the video. Less than a minute into the video I thought the music/performance was so strong that the visual would be be distracting, so I listened for 25 minutes with the screen turned off. Bravo, bravo. -Ray
That's an interesting question; it did make me think a little. Despite the strength of Jorian's performance and interpretation of the piece, I'm not entirely convinced that it 'fixes' my perceived reservations and shortcomings about the piece. I believe these issues are inherent to the writing itself. While some of the abrupt transitions and shifts in tone are smoothed out by the natural rubato and phrasing in the performance, I still feel that the performance cannot fully alleviate most of the shortcomings I personally identified in the piece. Of course, of those I listed, they're subjective, others may not consider them shortcomings.
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