Sonatina of the High Seas. (Keyboard).Sonatina son·a·ti·na n. A sonata having shorter movements and often less technically demanding than the typical sonata. [Italian, diminutive of sonata, sonata; see sonata. of the High Seas by Melody Bober. The FJH FJH Franz Joseph Haydn (classical composer) FJH Friendswood Junior High (Friendswood, Texas) Music Co. Inc. (2525 Davie Rd., Ste. 360, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33317-7424), 2001. 8 pp., $3.50. Intermediate. Sonatina of the High Seas is an attractive, intermediate-level work that provides a good introduction to technical, formal and musical elements typical of the sonatina. The music is clearly printed and includes well-placed pedal markings and good fingering. The three movements are in a fast-slow-fast sequence and follow the traditional key scheme. The first movement, "Bon Voyage!," is in sonata allegro form. It has a lively first theme, punctuated by staccato and short, legato phrasing. The lyrical second theme, interestingly, remains in the tonic key, making the exposition almost identical to the recapitulation--much easier to learn, but a less useful model for future sonatina study. Figuration fig·u·ra·tion n. 1. The act of forming something into a particular shape. 2. A shape, form, or outline. 3. The act of representing with figures. 4. A figurative representation. 5. and chord progressions in the development section are similar to those in a number of classical sonatas and thus offer good preparation for these works. The second movement, "Smooth Sailing," features delicate right-hand and left-hand phrasing that is characteristic of a minuet minuet (mĭny  ĕt`), French dance, originally from Poitou, introduced at the court of Louis XIV in 1650. It became popular during the 17th and 18th cent. . The middle section consists almost entirely of a right hand-left hand imitative sequence, requiring that students have a solid left-hand technique and good hand-eye coordination. "The Open Sea" is the most interesting and imaginative of the three movements. The rondo rondo (rŏn`dō, rŏndō`), instrumental musical form in which the opening section is repeated after each succeeding section containing contrasting thematic material. The complex rondeau of French keyboard music of the 17th cent. theme is presented first in the right hand, accompanied by left-hand horn fifths and later in varying contexts that make each recurrence eventful. Episodic material consists of scales and arpeggios that enhance the music's powerful images--ocean swells, billowing bil·low n. 1. A large wave or swell of water. 2. A great swell, surge, or undulating mass, as of smoke or sound. v. bil·lowed, bil·low·ing, bil·lows v.intr. 1. sails, even a sea captain's swagger. My only criticism of this music concerns metronome markings for each movement that seem out of line with tempo indications in the score. Such excessive speeds (allegro moderato [??]= 168; andante an·dan·te Music adv. & adj. Abbr. and. In a moderately slow tempo, usually considered to be slower than allegretto but faster than adagio. Used chiefly as a direction. n. An andante passage or movement. [??]= 126; allegro [??]=96) are best ignored in favor of tempos that are consistent with the spirit of the music and allow Melody Bober's detailed phrasing to be observed. Young pianists are certain to enjoy learning and performing this piece, and skills gained in the process will help provide a foundation for more advanced study. Reviewed by Jonathan Brown, Birmingham, Alabama. |
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