Piano Sonata, Movt. III "Rondo"
Abstract / Program Notes
In 2009, Toronto-based pianist Robert Karrass premiered Stolz's The Touch: A Fantasy for Solo Piano at festivals in Finland and France. Karrass particularly enjoyed the “rock” and “popular” styles found in The Touch, so he commissioned Stolz to write a "rock sonata." For Piano Sonata (2012), Stolz drew on the music of progressive rock keyboardists such as Tony Banks (Genesis), Dennis DeYoung (Styx), Keith Emerson (ELP) and Rick Wakeman (Yes). Progressive rock mannerisms, harmony and rhythms appear here within the context of a Beethovian sonata structure. This movement is structured as a rondo, but the music is outwardly prog-influenced.
Piano Sonata, Movt. III "Rondo"
In 2009, Toronto-based pianist Robert Karrass premiered Stolz's The Touch: A Fantasy for Solo Piano at festivals in Finland and France. Karrass particularly enjoyed the “rock” and “popular” styles found in The Touch, so he commissioned Stolz to write a "rock sonata." For Piano Sonata (2012), Stolz drew on the music of progressive rock keyboardists such as Tony Banks (Genesis), Dennis DeYoung (Styx), Keith Emerson (ELP) and Rick Wakeman (Yes). Progressive rock mannerisms, harmony and rhythms appear here within the context of a Beethovian sonata structure. This movement is structured as a rondo, but the music is outwardly prog-influenced.