Review

Zsolt Gárdonyi
Sonata da chiesa:
trumpet, trombone, and organ

Magdeburg, , Germany
Publisher: Edition Walhall
Date of Publication: 1994

Score and parts

Primary Genre: Chamber Music

Following the structure of the classical church sonata, there are four clearly separated and contrasted movements: Arioso (Andante); Invention (Allegro); Recitative (Grave) and Toccata (Con moto). The composer’s note refers to a previous setting of Vater unser, which is reflected in the Recitative; however the more obvious reference here is to the plainchant hymn Te Lucis which is drawn from the Office of Compline. Traces of this hymn can be found throughout, suggesting performance would be especially effective on a late summer evening with the setting sun behind the west window. The Invention ‘shows traces of a small canonic fugue.’ Elsewhere, there is use of imitation and other contrapuntal devices.

The Sonata is written in extended tonal idiom in a melodic, neo-classical style. It is a pleasing and successful work and is of an intermediate level of difficulty with no extraordinary technical demands made on any of the players. A large organ is not required and registrations are generally not specified. Trombone range is G–a1. Trumpet parts are in C and B-flat printed together with trombone in bass clef, which I have not seen before. Perhaps this gives brass players a reassuring level of mutual security. Score and parts are produced with exemplary clarity.

The composer was born in Budapest in 1946 and has lived in Germany since 1968. He is currently a professor at the State Conservatory in Würzburg, and is active as a concert organist. Trombonists already know him through his earlier work Rhapsody for trombone and organ.

-Keith Davies Jones
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada