Sonata No. 1 "The Tempest" - Trumpet and Piano

Sonata No. 1 for Trumpet ("The Tempest") was commissioned by and written for the Equinox Duo, Denver Dill, Trumpet and Rebecca Wilt, Piano.

This first sonata bears the nickname, "The Tempest" because of the stormy and turbulent nature of the first movement, the somber "aftermath" of the second movement and the whirlwind drive of the third.

The first movement is cast in sonata form with an introduction in fanfare style. The first and second themes are contrasting in nature with the second being quite lyrical and sentimental. A development section works through the two themes and the fanfare introductory material. The second movement is somewhat elegiac in nature and with a simple recitative and aria design. The declamatory style of the recitative seems to convey a woeful longing while the aria is contemplative and reflective. The third movement uses a sonata-rondo construction combined with the playful style of a scherzo. The furious tempo renders very short primary and secondary themes while the development section recycles themes from the previous two movements. The rousing and joyful conclusion of the movement balances the turbulent beginning of the sonata.