Information (in English / solo en ingles):
The Toccata – Sonatina was composed in June 2018, based on the main theme to ‘Wir setzen uns mit Tranen nieder’ which is the last choral movement of the great work by J.S.Bach “The St. Matthew Passion” BWV 244 (1727). The theme has previously been used by David Johnstone but is here expanded. This powerful work for a chamber music duo gives opportunities to two unusual duo combinations.
Originally he conceived the work for Viola and Bass Clarinet (in Bb) – this due to an intelligent suggestion from the very fine Spanish viola player Sandra López Bernad. However, seeing as the viola and cello are instruments which blend fine, but are hardly used in duos, Johnstone felt that a concert duo for these instruments might also be very useful for the ‘chamber music’ world. It is always a satisfaction for a composer to hear his or her music performed, and so these are the two performance options:
Viola and Bass Clarinet
Viola and Cello
The general score offered is the version for viola and bass clarinet; this will serve the viola-cello version two for the differences are very small…
Although the music is of a gentle speed, the feeling is certain akin to that of a “toccata” – an open and bold sound is generally called for. At the end of the exposition there is a little ‘codetta’; its accompanying arpeggio motive assumes more importance as the work unfolds, thus helping as a second figure in the development section. The final recapitulation is obvious for its grandiose sentiments, bringing the work to a triumphant conclusion.
Duration: approx. 5’ 30”
This musical creative project was originally written for and dedicated to:
Sandra López Bernad
Price: 2.00€
Enjoy the music!
