John Burge

Premiere: Leslie Newman, flute, John Burge, piano, at Dunning Auditorium, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, on February 16, 2000.

Duration: 14 minutes

Movements:

1. Andante espressivo
2. March-like

Program Note: Sonata Breve No. 3 was composed in 1999 for flautist Leslie Newman after John Burge had heard Leslie in an exquisite performance of his composition, Forgotten Dreams, for flute and strings.  Like the previous two Sonata Breves (No. 1 is for piano solo and No. 2 for clarinet and piano), this work is in only two movements.  The first movement is of a predominantly lyrical design while the second movement has a faster, more carefree character.  The flute melody that opens this work is actually taken from the second movement of the composer's Piano concerto No. 1 where it is also presented by a solo flute.  The piano figuration that is used to accompany this idea is likewise taken directly from the concerto.

The second movement of Sonata Breve No. 3 has a clearly audible ABA structure with the opening section having strong characteristics of a march. There is a kind of punchiness to the instrumental writing in this movement that is further heightened in the faster middle section.  The movement ends with a short coda that includes a brief passage of flutter-tonguing for the flute.

Full score and part are available from the Canadian Music Centre for purchase (printable pdf or mail order), libary loan or nonprintable pdf for review purposes: Sonata Breve No. 3 (flute and piano)–CMC