Frans Absil - Music Datasheet

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"Sonatine for Harp"

GENERAL INFORMATION
Title	Sonatine for Harp
Composer	F.G.J. Absil
Instrumentation	Pedal Harp
Date	August 2006
Duration	Total: 14'40 (3 movements: 5'40 + 4'30 + 4'30)
Style	Modal (Mixo-Lydian, Lydian)
Key	Eb, F, Ab
Meter	Various (4/4, 6/4 and 12/8)
Measures	353
Tempo	Allegro, Lento, Presto

FULL INSTRUMENTATION
Solo Pedal Harp

NOTES FOR THE PERFORMER
This sonatine for solo pedal harp is in tonal and modal style and consists of three movements. Mvt. 1: Allegro grazioso (120 BPM), Meter: 4/4, Key: Eb Mixo-Lydian, 170 mm (5'40). The opening movement is based on a modal theme, that is presented in a number of variations (m. 5: introduction, m. 17: 1st variation, m. 36: 2nd variation, m. 67 and 87: transition, m. 99: 3rd variation, m. 107: transition, m. 124: 4th variation and transition, m. 140: recapitulation, m. 158: coda) and counterpoint settings (m. 29, m. 48, m. 76 inverted, m. 113). As a contrast there is a number of phrases based on chordal structures in seconds and fourths (starting at m. 59, 82, 94, 116 and 135), that strengthen the Mixo-Lydian character of the movement. Mvt. 2: Lento tranquilo e rubato (60 BPM), Meter: 6/4-4/4, Key: F-Lydian, 48 mm (4'30). The slow middle movement has a tranquil main motive, presented four times (m. 1, m. 9, m. 19 and m. 47), interspersed with rapid, flowing and contrasting atonal phrases, leading to a climax at mm. 24-25 and mm. 38-39. These use different playing techniques, such as fast syncopated plucked patterns, playing near the soundboard, short and long glissandi and harmonics. Mvt. 3: Presto giocoso (86 BPM), Meter: 12/8-6/8, Key: Ab-Lydian, 135 mm (4'30). The last movement is in rondo form with the gentle, Lydian main theme presented three times (m. 11, m. 54 and m. 122). The introduction (mm. 1-10) is based on a dominant pedal; this idea reappears in various disguises (see, e.g., mm. 103-121). The intermediary sections are in Mixo-Lydian mode and with a clear reference to the blues (mm. 30-53 and mm. 75-98); note the syncopated accents. Pedal settings and changes are indicated in the score.

NOTES FOR THE PERFORMER

This sonatine for solo pedal harp is in tonal and modal style and consists of three movements.

Mvt. 1: Allegro grazioso (120 BPM), Meter: 4/4, Key: Eb Mixo-Lydian, 170 mm (5'40).
The opening movement is based on a modal theme, that is presented in a number of variations (m. 5: introduction, m. 17: 1st variation, m. 36: 2nd variation, m. 67 and 87: transition, m. 99: 3rd variation, m. 107: transition, m. 124: 4th variation and transition, m. 140: recapitulation, m. 158: coda) and counterpoint settings (m. 29, m. 48, m. 76 inverted, m. 113). As a contrast there is a number of phrases based on chordal structures in seconds and fourths (starting at m. 59, 82, 94, 116 and 135), that strengthen the Mixo-Lydian character of the movement.

Mvt. 2: Lento tranquilo e rubato (60 BPM), Meter: 6/4-4/4, Key: F-Lydian, 48 mm (4'30).
The slow middle movement has a tranquil main motive, presented four times (m. 1, m. 9, m. 19 and m. 47), interspersed with rapid, flowing and contrasting atonal phrases, leading to a climax at mm. 24-25 and mm. 38-39. These use different playing techniques, such as fast syncopated plucked patterns, playing near the soundboard, short and long glissandi and harmonics.

Mvt. 3: Presto giocoso (86 BPM), Meter: 12/8-6/8, Key: Ab-Lydian, 135 mm (4'30).
The last movement is in rondo form with the gentle, Lydian main theme presented three times (m. 11, m. 54 and m. 122). The introduction (mm. 1-10) is based on a dominant pedal; this idea reappears in various disguises (see, e.g., mm. 103-121). The intermediary sections are in Mixo-Lydian mode and with a clear reference to the blues (mm. 30-53 and mm. 75-98); note the syncopated accents.

Pedal settings and changes are indicated in the score.

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