Title: Sonata No. 2: Tasting Love
Commission/Dedication: Written for John Hardinsky
Premiere: Details unknown
Composer: Barbara York
Publisher: Cimarron Music Press
Year: 2010
Program notes from the composer:
None.
Author assessment and pedagogical considerations:
“Sonata No. 2 (Tasting Love)” is a piece, assumedly, inspired by the universal love language of food, given the subtitle (Tasting Love) and aptly named movements: I. Hot Sauce on Rice, II. Sugar Cookies for Tea, III. Jumping Beans on Toast. This piece presents an opportunity for the tubist to ‘spice’ up their program with a piece that presents a number of styles: salsa, dolce, and jaunty.
In the first movement, the tubist will be met with a number of leaps of up to one octave, ranging up to F4. The salsa rhythm could be a little unfamiliar with folks who have not played this style before. I recommend listening to salsa music or even taking a Zumba class, which salsa is one of the four dance styles that it is comprised of.
In the second movement, the tubist will be met with a full 3-octave range and ample opportunity for musical expression with the abundance of rubato present. The tempo is marked at quarter=44 and should be practiced with a metronome so the performer can be familiar with that slow of a tempo. Consideration should be given to putting the metronome on 88 and counting the movement in that manner.
The third movement poses the most challenge to the player. There are significant runs that aren’t entirely scale-like and will require detailed attention in the practice room, with a metronome. There are also distinct articulation markings that throughout the piece that need focus to enhance the ‘jumping beans on toast’ aspect of the piece.
Recordings:
I. Hot Sauce on Rice
II. Sugar Cookies for Tea
III. Jumping Beans on Toast
