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ELGAR – Sonatina (1889) – DUO FLUTE AND VIOLA

Other Identification:
Originally for Solo Piano, written in 1889 for Elgar’s niece Mary Grafton – prepared as an Instrumental Duo by David Johnstone.
It appears that Elgar revised the piece in 1931.

Wulstan Atkins recalled how, in 1932, Elgar was working on old piano sketches and completed one, Sonatina, before putting the others (Adieu and Serenade) on one side. It was originally composed in 1889 for his eight-years’-old niece, May Grafton, the daughter of Elgar’s favourite sister, Pollie. May lived on and off between 1904 and 1908 with the Elgars in Plas Gwyn, their Hereford home, and helped run the household and look after Carice. She was also a particular help to Edward after Alice’s death and, as a keen photographer, she added to the images of the composer that we have. (The) Sonatina was not published until 1932 and David Owen Norris compares the two versions from 1889 and 1932 calling the metamorphosis “a marvellous lesson – not just in composition … but also in writing for the piano. Textures which were straight-forward in 1889 are refined … to a point where the thought of Webern’s attenuated music is not at all ridiculous”.

Movements or sections: Two movements:
I – Andantino
II – Allegro (comodo)

The piece is short and in two movements. The first contains a sentimental, gently rocking melody that gives way briefly to a tiny contrasting section before reverting to the repeated first section. In contrast, the second movement is jaunty which slows down for a few seconds near the end before gathering up the reins again for a gallop to the finish.

Instrumentation: DUO OF FLUTE AND VIOLA
Arranged by David Johnstone

This music is in 3 PDFs:
[1 – General Score
[2 – Flute Part
[3 – Viola Part

Approximate difficulty: MEDIUM
David Johnstone has carefully transcribed this music for instrumental duo; either for flute and viola, or for violin/clarinet and cello. Please note that these versions are not compatible between themselves; for example, a flute-cello or violin-viola combination is not possible! Pianists may well perform the second movement very fast, but the current arranger much suggests an ‘allegro comodo’.

Dedicatee of this presentation (if applicable): This instrumental duo version is dedicated to Carolina & Dario

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