The Pianoforte Sonata: Its Origin and DevelopmentShedlock, J. S. (John South)
History
The Pianoforte Sonata: Its Origin and Development
Shedlock, J. S. (John South)
Sonatas (Piano) -- History and criticism
A new section expresses Jacob's happiness until he discovers the
deceit practised on him. The exact moment of displeasure is indicated
by a superscription; the latter, however, was scarcely necessary--the
notes speak for themselves. For there are reminiscences of the Laban
recitative, of the fugue theme, and also (in augmentation) of the
counter-subject. This is, indeed, an early instance of the employment
of representative themes. The composer then naively orders the section
descriptive of the wedding festivities to be repeated, to illustrate
the second marriage of Jacob with the beloved Rachel.
The 4th Sonata deals with Hezekiah's mortal sickness and recovery. It
is shorter than the preceding ones, and of simpler structure. It opens
with slow, sad music: the prophet of God has summoned the king to
prepare for death. His ardent prayer to heaven is naturally expressed
by a well-known Chorale, supported by most effective polyphonic
harmony. After a short thematic working of a figure from the Chorale,
the latter is submitted to fresh treatment: the movement (in six-four
time) somewhat resembles the old Corrente. The sonata concludes with a
lively movement in binary form. It is intended to depict the king's
joy at his recovery. There are a few bars _adagio_ in each section:
Hezekiah recalls the past. This is the only one of the sonatas which,
as abstract music, would be satisfactory without any programme.
No. 5 is entitled "Gideon, the Saviour of Israel." From a musical
point of view it is the least interesting of the set, yet it contains
some curious programme effects. It will be remembered that a sign
from heaven was given to Gideon: the fleece was to be covered with
dew, but the ground to remain dry; the next night, however, the order
of things was reversed. Kuhnau expresses the latter by giving a theme
in _contrary motion_. This may almost be described as punning in
music. The composer, however, meant it seriously; from the tone of his
preface, and the narration, with comments, which he has prefixed to
each sonata, in addition to the explanatory words over the music
itself, it is clear that his aim was to elucidate and intensify the
Bible stories by means of his art. He was a man, apparently, of deep
religious belief.
The battle-picture is a curiosity, but, as music, of little value. The
flight of the Midianites is depicted in the following primitive
manner:--
[Music illustration]
The 6th (and last) Sonata bears the title, "The Tomb of Jacob." We
have, at first, mournful music: the sons of the Patriarch are standing
round the deathbed. At length Jacob dies, and they "ponder over the
consequences of the sad event." A quiet, expressive theme
[Music illustration]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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