Event Title

Piano Sonata, Movt. III "Rondo"

Authors

Nolan Stolz, University of South Carolina UpstateFollow

Performer / Ensemble

Anastasia Seifetdinova (Piano)

Streaming Media

Date of Publication

3-26-2021

Document Type

Composition

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.

Biography

Composer Nolan Stolz’s works are firmly rooted in the contemporary classical tradition, yet clearly influenced by his performance background as a jazz fusion and progressive rock drummer. His compositions may be heard on releases from Ablaze, ESM, Parma, Six Strings Sounds, and Tributary Music. The Brno Philharmonic recording of his Lincoln Highway Suite was awarded second place in the 2020 American Prize’s Ernst Bacon Award. He has been commissioned by the Alturas Duo, CCSU Chamber Players, Las Vegas Academy Jazz Ensemble, Las Vegas Music Festival Orchestra, Spartanburg Philharmonic, SUNY-Stony Brook, Terminus Ensemble, and several soloists. In addition to his work as a composer, Stolz has published a book about Black Sabbath’s music, a jazz theory article, essays on Sabbath, Genesis, Rush, and Frank Zappa, and appears on several albums from jazz and rock artists. Stolz is Associate Professor and Coordinator of Music at University of South Carolina Upstate in Spartanburg.

Born in Kyiv, Ukraine, Anastasia Seifetdinova gave her first solo recital at the age of eleven. Ms. Seifetdinova is a graduate of the Hochschule für Musik Würzburg, Germany, and holds a Master’s and a Doctorate degrees from The Hartt School of the University of Hartford. Anastasia won First Prizes in the 14th International Piano Competition for Young Pianists in Rome, Italy, and in the Puigcerda International Piano Competition in Spain. In 2006 she recorded in Moscow the complete works for piano and orchestra by Balakirev with the Russian Philharmonic Orchestra for NAXOS records. Anastasia was awarded a Special Prize at the International Piano Competition “Parnassos” in Mexico. Her career continues with numerous appearances as a soloist both in concertos with orchestra, in solo recitals, and in chamber music concerts in Ukraine, Germany, Macedonia, Italy, Hungary, Switzerland, France, Russia, USA, and Japan. Centaur Records released two of Dr. Seifetdinova’s solo albums in 2016 and 2018. Mrs. Seifetdinova’s highlights of 2017-2019 included a recital at Carnegie Hall - a third during her career - as well as other appearances in recitals in Florida, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Germany. In 2013, Ms. Seifetdinova was granted the Extraordinary Abilities in the Arts permanent US residence, given only to artists who attained the highest level in their field. Since 2013 Dr. Seifetdinova has been a freelance pianist at the New England Conservatory, as well as an Adjunct Faculty in Piano and Chamber Music at The Hartt School since 2019.

Keywords

"Rock Sonata", Rondo

Description

Duration: 6:30. Instrumentation: Piano. Date of Composition: 2012, never performed.