Abstracts
Abstract
In this article, I apply William E. Caplin’s theoretical model of formal functions as the modus operandi to study variations to the sonatina genre. In particular, I use Clementi’s op. 36 cycle of six “Progressive” sonatinas to illustrate some of the compositional options available along the evolutionary pathway between a single-themed minuet exposition and that of a mature sonata exposition. Despite the sonatina’s relatively smaller dimension, the variety of loosening features and use of interthematic fusion reveal that the genre is a more captivating topic of study than may have been generally appreciated.
Résumé
Dans cet article, j’applique le modèle théorique des fonctions formelles (formal functions) de William E. Caplin à l’étude des variations de la sonatine. En particulier, j’utilise le cycle de six sonatines « progressives » de l’opus 36 de Clementi pour illustrer quelques-uns des types de composition possibles dans l’évolution entre l’exposition à thème unique d’un menuet et l’exposition d’une sonate mature. Malgré la dimension relativement restreinte de la sonatine, la diversité des caractéristiques informelles et le recours à la fusion interthématique révèlent un sujet d’étude plus captivant que l’on aurait pu le penser d’une manière générale.
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Appendices
Biographical note
Edward Jurkowski is a professor of music at the University of Lethbridge, Alberta, where he is associate dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts. His research has centred on Nordic music, the music of Morton Feldman, and applications of William Caplin’s formal function theory. He is a former president of the Canadian University Music Society and presently English editor of Intersections.
Bibliography
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