File name: Albeniz Piano Sonata No. 3 Op. 68
File author: Gennarino
File uploaded: 13 Aug 2011
File category: Sheet Music
The "Sonata Número 3 en La bemol mayor Opus 68" in the tempos Allegretto, Andante and Allegro assai was composed in 1886; it was dedicated by Isaac Albéniz to his dearest friend and pianist Manuel Guervós, who first performed it in Madrid in 1887. In reality, No. 68 is Albéniz's first true sonata, as the first one, the "Sonata para piano, Número 1, Opus 28" being unfinished, only the Scherzo was published (which became part of the Suite característica but has since been lost), while the second is completely missing.
In the First Movement, a repeated section in the initial key is followed by a second part in B Major, which is succeeded by a brief episode in G Major, with an echo in E-flat Major and a fast introduction to the conclusion in A-flat Major, featuring a repetition of the initial theme and a great final crescendo.
The Second Movement, in D-flat Major, has the character of a sweet meditation and modulates briefly into A Major, before returning to the original key and concluding with a brief evocation of the proposed theme.
The final Allegro assai is a piece of virtuosity and absolute commitment, with a sparkling beginning, followed by a serene reflection, which then concludes in an overwhelming finale.
Anyway, among the three, the first is the one that most reveals the original character of Albeniz's music, while the second has the merit of a rarefied and melancholy atmosphere.
A beautiful performance is that of Albert Guinovart, which is also on Youtube.
The links are :
First Movement, Allegretto :
Second Movement, Andante :
Third Movement, Allegro assai :
Click here to download the file
