I sketched this piece from August to September 2023. Similar to many of the Sonata movements in Vol. 3, the opening riff from the first two bars was yet another short tune I heard in my ear in childhood. Shortly before I ended up writing the sketches to this movement, the first invitation to continue the tune through bars 3 and 4 were born. It was at this time the selected key came to mind: C minor. This was one of those rare times, unlike other sketches from childhood, where I had this riff but never really settled on a key (I think it was also one of those times I never really thought about the key, which would have been unusual for me).
As I went sketching on the first day (got about 3 pages in), I decided on a Sonata rondo format for this first movement. My understanding is that in typical Classical music literature, rondos are typically reserved for the third (or final) movement. I'm still learning how to write them and get them "tight" structurally as I would like, but I do think I fared far better here compared with the third movement from Piano Sonata No. 1 in E-flat major.
So although the form (more or less, I would say) follows the Sonata rondo structure (minor: A B A C a') (Major: A B A C' a'), I still find myself amused at feeling prompted by God to suddenly break for a Coda (even though this is a Sonata and not a Concerto). I obeyed and went with it. The coda and closing was probably the most fun I had while writing this piece. It flowed out so easily, compared with the rest of the piece.
[To be removed once I do upload the other tracks: Movements 2 and 3 will have a very tough act to follow!]
This track was created and mixed in GarageBand, with a simple piano patch and minimal effects.
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