Product Description
A uniquely varied collection of independent works interpreting various aspects of eighteenth-century classical style.
The sound sample is an electronic preview.
The movements, available separately here or in one complete bundle are:
1 Sonatina [4/4, C, M]
The Sonatina in C Major is an effervescently Mozartean movement with a full-fledged contrapuntal development section.
2 and 3 Minuet I [3/4, G, E] and Minuet II [3/4, g, E]
The two minuets, originally scored for violin and cello as a wedding gift to their dedicatees, should always be played together: the gallant mood of the first contrasts tellingly with the mysterious, quasi-canonic counterpoint of the second.
4 Rondo [2/4, C, M]
The sprightly, Haydnesque Rondo in C Major was originally the finale to Ford's four-movement Sonata in C Minor ("Werther"). Eventually he felt that a minor-key movement was necessary to counterbalance the weighty first movement, thus detaching the present rondo and dubbing it an independent concert piece. The "circular" form of the rondo is clearly suggestive of the ring-like urban plan of the city of Vienna.
5 Sonatina ("La Stravagante") [4/4, a, M]
The Sonatina in A Minor is in a style that evokes the earlier decades of the eighteenth century; its subtitle "La Stravagante" is meant to convey the piece's curiously chromatic character.
6 Sonatina ("La Siciliana") [3/4, c, M+]
The hauntingly poignant Sonatina in C Minor, nicknamed "La Siciliana," is one of Ford's favorite keyboard works and is the only music he composed during his residency in Baton Rouge from 1985-86. It is distinguished by the characteristic style elements of the traditional siciliano, including a plaintive melody, dotted rhythms, flowing accompaniment, and minor-key tonality.
7 Andantino [4/4, G, M]
The Andantino in G Major is another finely crafted study in rondo form after the manner of Haydn, with a particularly striking section in G minor that throws the cheerful, elegantly mannered mood of the principal theme into high relief.
8 Scherzo ("Il Singulto") [3/4, G, M]
The Scherzo in G Major, whose curious subtitle "Il Singulto" ("The Hiccough") refers to the humorous alternation of staccato and slurred notes in the opening theme, generally maintains a light two-voice texture. (The art presented above seems especially appropriate, since immoderate indulgence in food and drink often results in hiccoughs!)
9 Variations on an Original Theme [4/4, D, M]
The Variations on an Original Theme in D Major, composed "during lunch breaks on an old piano in the music room at the American School of Tangier" (ca. 1982-83), is a piece whose youthful charm was inspired by African and international schoolchildren whom the composer heard at play when he sat down to work each day.
10 Rondo [3/8, D, E+]
Both the Variations and the little Rondo in D Major are affectionately dedicated to the composer's two nieces. These are colorful but not excessively difficult works ideally suited as companion pieces at recitals for students of moderate advancement.
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