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Olli Mustonen’s Sonata No. 2 Debuts at Wigmore Hall

Nov. 01, 2017

Olli Mustonen’s <em>Sonata No. 2</em> Debuts at Wigmore Hall

On November 21, the Julian Bream Trust presents the world premiere of Olli Mustonen’s Sonata No. 2 for guitar at London’s Wigmore Hall, performed by guitarist Laura Snowden. Following his 2004 sonata for guitar Jehkin Iivana, which was based on Finnish bardic traditions, the new sonata has more abstract origins. The composer writes:

The first movement starts with dissonant intervals, full of drama and conflict while the second has a dream-like atmosphere as if the guitar has been left alone in the forest. After a nightmarish episode, more hopeful music suddenly starts to appear. In the last movement the guitar returns to fight its tormentors from the first movement with renewed energy and takes its way heroically through all obstacles to a triumphant end.

The Julian Bream Trust, which commissioned the sonata, has supported the composition of several new works for guitar since its founding in 2007, including important new contributions to the repertoire by Leo Brouwer, Sir Harrison Birtwistle, and most recently Julian Anderson (Catalan Peasant with Guitar). The November 21 program also features rarities for guitar including Hans Erich Apostel's Sechs Musiken, Op. 25.

View the score to Mustonen’s first guitar sonata, Jehkin Iivana:


For more information on Olli Mustonen, visit schott-music.com.

Olli Mustonen
Sonata No. 2 (2017)
for solo guitar
10’

Jehkin Iivana (2004)
Sonata for Guitar
15’

Julian Anderson
Catalan Peasant with Guitar (2015)
for solo guitar
14'

Hans Erich Apostel
Sechs Musiken, Op. 25
for solo guitar
15'

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