Tippett: Piano Sonata 1, 1st Mov.

Sir Michael Tippett (1905-1998) was an English composer, who was successful in operas, orchestral music and chamber music. Tippett wrote four piano sonatas and the first one was composed in 1936-38, the earliest period in his carrier. The first sonata is in an optimistic mood and often played in concerts. The forcefulness and nonchalance have something in common with Macdowell's works.

The first movement is a theme and five variations composed in a manner of Beethoven. The theme is in 5 beats and characterized with octave homophones. In Var1 Beethoven-like rhythmic contrast stands out. Var2 is an two-voice invention with a Lisztian octave brilliance. Vars 3 (Handel-like construction) and 4 (Bach-like fairly dance) are the most impressive moments. Var5 sounds to me as mysterious gnome drums.

The composer revised Var5 in 1942 and the nature of perpetual movement is emphasized. The first version contained eerie whispering trills, as if cicadas are crying in the evening or ghost fires are drifting in the air. We can hear in Youtube the first version beautifully played by Phyllis Sellick, who premiered this sonata. It seems that Tippett was rather strict with the performers including Sellick, who was in her twenties at the time of the premiere and that he pointed out any noticable mistakes. Thanks to this, we can hear a performance that is close to the composer's intention.

I came to know this piece by imaginative recording by Paul Crossley and became curious how it sounds if it is played with correct rhythm. When I started practice, I did not know excellent recordings by Phyllis Sellick and Peter Donohoe. I noticed that the remaining movements in this sonata are also good. I like the second movement.

I could not receive a lesson from the piano teacher and I failed to notice some problems .

o My playing posture was bad and the piano did not sing well. o At many places the accompaniment was too loud, especially in Var1.

o My play was not colorful enough. Crossley's performance made me think of wide open farmlands, weddings with fairies' blessings, earth spirit stomping, etc. Mine was just on writing styles (Beethoven, Liszt, and others).

instrument: Yamaha C5L