Classical Music | Guitar Music

Recorded on 04/16/2005, uploaded on 01/10/2009

Musician's or Publisher's Notes

Sonata III                     Manuel Maria Poncé

I       Allegro Moderato; II Chanson-Andante; III  Allegro non troppo

Mexican composer Manuel Maria Poncé's Sonata III is at once dramatic, confrontational, and beautiful.  Its three movements comprise one of the most significant sonatas for the guitar of the 20th Century.  The 1st movement could be described as an unrelenting assault on the listener, moving among bombast, humility, and serenity; the tension created throughout the movement finally fades away just as suddenly as it began.  The 2nd movement is a song based on a Catalonian tune, and is a beautiful release after the turmoil of the previous movement.  The 3rd movement is a rondo, the theme of which is heard at the outset of the piece.  Three episodes intersperse the rondo theme, before a final, dramatic section of tremolo that carries the movement to a surprising end.     James Baur

Courtesy of International Music Foundation.