Sonata in C-sharp Minor, R. 21: Piano Book

The dramatic opening and tonal depth of this C-sharp minor sonata showcase why Soler deserves far more attention in concert programming. The minor key and harmonic language feel distinctly forward-looking for the Baroque period, giving performers and audiences genuine emotional substance alongside the technical rewards. Faber's edition makes this substantial work accessible without losing any of its architectural integrity.

Introspective yet propulsive, with a restless harmonic language that pulls against the formal boundaries of the Baroque sonata. The C-sharp minor tonality casts shadows throughout, creating moments of introspection before spirited passagework breaks through with unexpected energy.

Advanced pianists working through the Baroque sonata canon who want to move beyond the usual Scarlatti selections. This is also ideal for students preparing for competitions or auditions where late-Baroque keyboard writing carries significant weight.

• Attend carefully to the hand-crossing passages in the development section; these aren't mere virtuosity but structural markers that define the form. Map them out before memorizing.
• The opening theme's rhythmic profile demands precision across varied articulations. Establish the character in the first phrase and maintain it as the subject recurs in different registers.
• Balance the ornamental passagework against the underlying harmonic movement. This sonata rewards players who hear the scaffold beneath the decoration.
• Treat the repeat sections as opportunities to add subtle voicing variations and articulative choices rather than exact repetitions.

Feature this as a centerpiece on a recital exploring Spanish Baroque keyboard music, or pair it with works by Scarlatti and C.P.E. Bach to illustrate how different courts approached the keyboard sonata. Its substantial length and emotional weight make it suitable for a salon concert or chamber music setting where a single sonata commands full attention.

• Navigating hand-crossing and rapid register changes with clarity
• Shaping long lines across Baroque phrase structures
• Interpreting ornamental passages with historical awareness
• Understanding tonal architecture in late-Baroque harmonic language
• Developing facility with C-sharp minor keyboard patterns and fingerings