WHY YOU SHOULD LEARN THIS PIECE
Sonata for Solo Cello by David Feurzeig
Where to begin with a mammoth work such as this? First, a brief introduction to the composer: David Feurzeig is an American composer equally versed in popular music as he is in classical music. Many of his works incorporate parody, satire, and humour. A particular favourite of mine is his solo piano piece Stride Rite, which joins themes from Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring with ragtime piano stylings reminiscent of Scott Joplin and Jelly Roll Morton.
Sonata for Solo Cello takes a more serious approach than some of Feurzeig’s other works, utilising conventions of the past in tandem with innovative techniques that show off the cello’s myriad timbral varieties.
The sonata opens with a beautiful majestic prelude that, if pressed, I would have to say brings to mind (perhaps vaguely) the music of Bach's first suite’s prelude. The connection to Bach goes beyond the opening notes however. I am not exaggerating when I say that the satisfaction of playing Bach’s G major prelude is mirrored throughout Feurzeig’s sonata.
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