Scott Michal
Sonata
Duration: 17'
Instrumentation details:
piano
violoncello
Sonata
Sample pages
Video
Work introduction
Dark and brooding, the Sonata for Violoncello and Piano was one of my first major works. Though somewhat derivative of Prokofiev and Shostakovich, it introduces many of the elements that have become a signature of my own style and remains one of my favorites for it's soaring melodies and taut counterpoint.
Sonata for Violoncello and Piano was written upon a commission from the Ohio Music Teacher's Association upon Scott Michal being named Composer of the Year. The first performance was at the OMTA state conference at Ohio University in October of 1990 by the composer's wife, Barbara Naragon Michal and Sheila Hancock. Notable performances since then include Trevor Handy, the principal cello of the Santa Barbara Symphony, and Solen Diekener who has performed it with pianist Türev Berki in multiple cities throughout Turkey as well as in the USA.