Sonata Op.46

Sonata for Clarinet and piano, Op. 46 was written in the spring of 1988. The Clarinet Sonata is conceived in two movements. The first one is written in Sonata form. The Exposition has two main themes very clearly introduced the first one by the clarinet and the second one by the piano (low register). Both themes are lyrical, gentle and expressive. The development section is more agitated and rhythmically more active achieving the climax just before modified Recapitulation. A placid Coda closes the movement peacefully. The second movement has two very different parts. The first part is slow, static and very soft almost in its entirety. The clarinet features its sustained non vibrato tone in a contemplative Recitativo. The piano accompaniment is simple and repetitive. The second part of this movement is a fast Allegro rhythmically complex. The Rondo theme is derived from the recitative part (same pitches) but completely modified in character. Incessant measure changes generate energy in a movement of great intense concentration. After a distensional clarinet Cadenza comes a Coda that progressively builds excitement to attain a brilliant ending.