Kuhnau: Sonata, "David and Goliath": Piano
By Johann Kuhnau
Item: 00-PK-0003172
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Description
A biblical sonata based on the battle between David and Goliath.
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Additional Details
Series:
Kalmus Edition
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
16
SKU:
00-PK-0003172
More about this title
About the Composer: Johann Kuhnau
Johann Kuhnau (1660-1722) was a German composer and organist who served as cantor at St. Thomas Church in Leipzig, the position later held by Johann Sebastian Bach. He was among the first composers to write keyboard sonatas, establishing formal structures and expressive techniques that would influence the genre for generations. His biblical sonatas represent a unique fusion of narrative drama and keyboard virtuosity, treating instrumental music as a vehicle for storytelling rather than pure abstraction.
Why we love this
Kuhnau's "David and Goliath" sonata remains a masterclass in Baroque program music. The work demands serious technical and interpretive engagement while offering clear narrative moments that resonate with performers and audiences alike. Its place in the piano repertoire is essential for anyone studying how composers used instrumental forms to convey drama and emotion before the Classical era fully took shape.
What to expect
The work unfolds like a dramatic narrative, beginning with solemn grandeur before introducing contrasting thematic material representing the two protagonists. Rapid passagework and energetic rhythmic figuration capture the urgency of battle, culminating in a triumphant resolution that feels earned rather than merely affirmative.
Who it's for
Advanced pianists and serious students exploring Baroque keyboard literature will find this sonata essential to their studies. Teachers preparing students for competitions, recitals, or comprehensive examination of pre-Classical keyboard music will value its combination of technical challenge and musical substance.
How to get the most out of it
- Shape the opening fugal sections with clarity of line rather than pedal wash; the polyphonic writing deserves textural transparency even in dramatic moments.
- Differentiate the character of David's theme from Goliath's material through tempo flexibility and dynamic control, allowing the narrative arc to unfold rather than rushing through transitions.
- Prepare for rapid figurework and hand independence by practicing the piece on a well-regulated keyboard with consistent touch; baroque keyboard music benefits from precision over romantic rubato.
- Balance the work's ceremonial opening sections with the visceral energy of the battle sequence, treating the final triumph as a genuine climax rather than merely repeating earlier material.
How to use it
This sonata serves well as a centerpiece in a Baroque keyboard recital, particularly when programmed to explore the evolution of keyboard narrative forms. It also pairs effectively in a themed concert on biblical or religious music across centuries, providing a keyboard-specific perspective on sacred subject matter.
Skills your students will build
- Baroque polyphonic writing and voice independence
- Program music interpretation and narrative pacing
- Hand independence and rapid figurework in the keyboard texture
- Stylistic understanding of pre-Classical sonata form
- Dynamic and tonal contrast across extended keyboard ranges