Sonatas for mandolin

[3step]

I've been working on a series of Sonatas for mandolin in the style of the 18th century Italian composers like Barbella, Gervasio and Battista. It's a style I really like and I hope to do a lot more similar ones. This is the first of three in this group that I've worked out so far.

https://soundcloud.com/paul-jansen-2...dmajor-allegro

[Jim Garber]

Paul: Very nice! Will you add the standard three movements? What kind of mandolin are you playing?

[Tavy]

Nice stuff - very well played and recorded!

[3step]

Thanks Jim,

I was originally going to just do three movements for this one as a concerto, but I decided to sort of group all the pieces I do in this style together as sonatas, then I can use different keys and stuff like that. Ah, my mandolin. I've been asked that one before. The Ferdinando De Cristofaro in the pic.

[3step]

Nice stuff - very well played and recorded!

Glad you liked it.

[Jim Garber]

Thanks Jim,

I was originally going to just do three movements for this one as a concerto, but I decided to sort of group all the pieces I do in this style together as sonatas, then I can use different keys and stuff like that. Ah, my mandolin. I've been asked that one before. The Ferdinando De Cristofaro in the pic.

I believe that a sonata has a standard form to it:

a type of composition in three sections (exposition, development, and recapitulation) in which two themes or subjects are explored according to set key relationships. It forms the basis for much classical music, including the sonata, symphony, and concerto.

Perhaps your piece is more of a sonatina?

A sonatina is literally a small sonata. As a musical term, sonatina has no single strict definition; it is rather a title applied by the composer to a piece that is in basic sonata form, but is shorter and lighter in character, or technically more elementary, than a typical sonata.

[DavidKOS]

I believe that a sonata has a standard form to it:

Including a development section, like a sonata-allegro form:

http://www.musickit.com/resources/son-allegro.html

[Jim Garber]

Including a development section, like a sonata-allegro form:

http://www.musickit.com/resources/son-allegro.html

That is what I was referring to.

[3step]

That is what I was referring to.

I'm aware of those terms and concepts. -I'll refrain from calling them rules though. I do believe my pieces are Sonatas, and have those type of development sections. I respect structure and theory in classical music, but I certainly don't hold strictly to it.

[DavidKOS]

I respect structure and theory in classical music, but I certainly don't hold strictly to it.

Neither did any of the great innovators!

[Bill Clements]

Bravo, Paul!
How can we acquire the sheet music for this music you played so adeptly?
Most enjoyable.

[3step]

Bravo, Paul!
How can we acquire the sheet music for this music you played so adeptly?
Most enjoyable.

Thanks so much Bill. It's strange. I had no idea how people would take this piece. Just because I like it has never been much of an indication. I'm glad you and others have enjoyed it. Writing out sheet music takes time for me. I always compose with instrument in hand. I will try and get around to it at some point.

[DavidKOS]

Thanks so much Bill. It's strange. I had no idea how people would take this piece. Just because I like it has never been much of an indication. I'm glad you and others have enjoyed it. Writing out sheet music takes time for me. I always compose with instrument in hand. I will try and get around to it at some point.

You did not use score to compose the piece? Cool...but as a composer I sure would write a sonata out, because I can write a way better development section than I can improvise. Nice work, though.