Uploaded July 2021 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago

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John Watts (1929-1982) composer
David Del Tredici, piano
1966 Live concert recording at Donnell Library (NYPL), New York City.

Sonata 1955-58, rev.1960 16 min.
Allegretto leggiero: mild dissonances, Impressionistic harmonics.
Andante sostenuto: fugal; concludes with great climax; classical textures; large span required.
Andante semplice: Romantic-sounding harmonies; careful voicing needed.
Allegro giocoso: eighth­ note ostinato bass effectively unfolds; final six bars have direction "Pound the hell out of it!"; large span required.
Solid technical equipment necessary for entire sonata.
--from Guide to the Pianist's Repertoire, Fourth Edition by Maurice Hinson, Wesley Roberts.

(photo of the composer with his ARP synthesizer at MOMA Garden, by Milton Oleaga, from the collection of Laura Foreman)
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