This Sonata is a work of breathtaking beauty and intimate expression, one that moves away from the stormy heroism of his earlier sonatas toward a world of nuanced lyricism, nostalgic reflection, and brilliant, light-filled virtuosity. This three-movement work is a masterclass in pianistic color and structural elegance, a piece that sings from beginning to end while still demanding the highest level of technical and interpretive command.
The Allegro
From the very first notes, a tender, searching melody emerges in the piano’s middle register over a delicate accompaniment, establishing a mood of profound, almost sacred intimacy. The harmonic language is rich and infused with a late-Romantic yearning, yet a contemporary voice is ever-present in the subtle dissonances and unexpected shifts of color. The movement unfolds in a modified sonata form, where the “development” is less a section of conflict and more a space for heartfelt improvisation and thematic embellishment. It feels like a fond recollection, a musical monologue filled with moments of delicate introspection and soaring, passionate outbursts, before gently returning to the tranquility of the opening theme.
The Scherzo
The central movement is a brilliant and mercurial Scherzo. It is a dance of shadows and light, a fleeting, almost Mendelssohnian display of *leggiero* (light and delicate) passagework. The writing is fleet-fingered and transparent, requiring immense control and articulative precision. This playful, staccato character is punctuated by sudden, dramatic shifts in dynamics and mood, showcasing Valverde’s masterful sense of wit and surprise. The brief, contrasting Trio section offers a moment of simple, folk-like lyricism, a beautiful and grounded melody that provides a fleeting moment of calm before the restless energy of the Scherzo returns to whisk the movement away to an ethereal and scintillating conclusion.
The Rondo Finale
This brilliant Rondo bursts forth with a jubilant, rhythmically infectious main theme in the home key of A major. It is a theme of sunshine and celebration, propelled by a virtuosic energy that is both powerful and graceful. The intervening episodes provide delightful contrasts, from playful, almost humorous dialogues between the hands to passages of broad, symphonic grandeur that utilize the full resonant power of the instrument. The entire movement is a testament to the life-affirming power of music, a dazzling display of pianistic fireworks that builds relentlessly to an exultant and breathtaking coda, bringing this magnificent sonata to a powerful and uplifting close.
Commentaries by Joseph Arwin, Music Critic and Coinnoseur at Tunecore, Inc.
