Program Notes: Cimarosa, Haydn, Faure

Sonata in G Minor

Domenico Cimarosa (1749-1802)

        Cimarosa was one of best-known Italian composers of the late eighteenth century. While being first and foremost an opera composer (having composed over eighty operas in his life), he left behind a substantial amount of keyboard music.  He was no stranger to keyboard instruments; he played the organ professionally and directed his operas from the harpsichord or fortepiano.  His principal income was not from teaching piano or performing though, he made a living through his operas. Thus his motivation for composing his harpsichord or fortepiano works remains unknown. This sonata comes from a book of 88 sonatas for harpsichord or fortepiano.  

Sonata in C Hob XVI:15

        Sonata

        Minuet and Trio

        Theme and Variations

Accredited to Franz Joseph Haydn (1732-1809)

        Haydn was a Classical composer often referred to as “Father of the Symphony” and “Father of the String Quartet” because of his many important contributions to these genres. He was also instrumental in the development of the piano trio and in the evolution of sonata form.  He was employed by the Esterházy family and had a huge range of responsibilities, including composition, running the orchestra, playing chamber music for and with his patrons, and later the mounting of operatic productions.  Some of his most well known works include the “Farewell Symphony” and the “Surprise Symphony”

        This sonata is made up of three parts: the sonata allegro, minuet and trio, and theme and variations. This would become a standard form that later composers, such as Mozart and Beethoven would use in their own works.

        In the sonata form, at least two main themes are stated, varied, and then restated. The statement of the main themes occurs in what is called the exposition. Typically, the first theme is played in the home key of the movement. This is followed by a modulating bridge ("modulating" because it often is where a key change is made) before the statement of the second theme.