The first movement, Allegro molto e passionate,seems to be in a rather unconventional style forRöntgen. The composer emphasizes texture overmelodic and harmonic inventiveness, and creates a realtour-de-force in the first movement. The work opens inthe tonic key of A Minor with a brooding andundulating motif that Röntgen repeats before dealinga sudden dynamic explosion. The second movement iscomprised of a set of variations based on what thecomposer terms an “Old Dutch” theme (AltHollandisch). After reaching a thunderous climax inVariation V, the movement gradually dissipatesthrough expansively rolled chords to a tranquil close.The third movement, a short Tempo di Menuetto in thekey of G Minor, is based on a seven-bar folk theme. TheFinale embodies a churning flow and energy similarthat that found in the final movement of Chopin’sSonata No.3 in B Minor, Op.58. A long, lyrical secondtheme enters followed by a return of the first. Animitative section enters that builds into a massiverestatement of the main theme. Eventually, Röntgencombines the two themes in a triumphant coda beforethe work comes to a dark and dramatic end with abroad statement of the main theme of first movement.2017 Mark AndersonThe Sonata in A minor was never published and existsonly in a copyist’s hand. As a companion to hisrecording project Mark Anderson has created amodern edition of the Sonata, which is available fromNimbus Publishing.
- ISMN: 9790708129455 (M708129455)
