Sonata Ricercare Op. 12 Cover Image

Sonata Ricercare Op. 12: Piano (Solo)

$20.95 USD
$20.95 USD
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Sonata Ricercare Op. 12 Cover Image
Sonata Ricercare Op. 12: Piano (Solo)

Sonata Ricercare Op. 12: Piano (Solo)

By Alan Hovhaness

Item: 98-EP6585
$20.95
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Additional Details
Series: Edition Peters
Publisher: Edition Peters
Page Count: 16
ISBN10: 0-30-071532-3
ISBN13: 979-0-3007-1532-2
SKU: 98-EP6585

More about this title

About the Composer: Alan Hovhaness

Alan Hovhaness (1911-2000) was an American composer of Armenian descent whose prolific output bridged Western classical traditions with the musical idioms of the Middle East and Asia. His deep engagement with non-Western scales, modal harmonies, and meditative textures set him apart from his contemporaries and established him as a distinctive voice in 20th-century American music. Hovhaness composed over 500 works across all genres, including symphonies, concertos, chamber music, and solo keyboard works that remain vital resources for pianists seeking repertoire with both technical substance and spiritual depth.

For music educators, Hovhaness represents an accessible entry point into extended tonality and non-traditional harmonic language. His piano works reward careful listening and deliberate practice without requiring virtuosic display, making them valuable both for developing interpretive maturity and for introducing students to compositional approaches outside the European mainstream.

Why we love this

This sonata combines the intellectual rigor of traditional form with Hovhaness's signature harmonic language, giving advanced pianists a work that challenges without overwhelming. The piece sits at an ideal difficulty for students who have mastered standard Romantic repertoire and are ready to grapple with modal writing and unconventional harmonic progressions.

What to expect

The Sonata Ricercare unfolds with a contemplative, searching quality characteristic of Hovhaness's best work. Its harmonic language feels both ancient and modern, drawing on modal and microtonal sensibilities that create an atmosphere of stillness punctuated by moments of lyrical intensity.

Who it's for

Advanced intermediate to advanced pianists who have secure technique and are ready to explore 20th-century compositional language beyond the standard repertoire. Music students and serious adult amateurs will find this work rewarding both as a performance piece and as a window into Hovhaness's distinctive musical world.

How to get the most out of it

  • Study the harmonic movement carefully before focusing on tempo; these sonorities ask for clarity of voice leading rather than speed.
  • Approach pedal use conservatively at first, then add sustain strategically to blend the modal harmonies without muddying the texture.
  • Map out the formal architecture across the full 16 pages so you understand how each section relates to the whole; this sonata rewards structural awareness.
  • Listen to multiple recordings if available, as interpretive choices about pacing and sonority vary significantly and all can be valid.

How to use it

This sonata works well in recital programs alongside other 20th-century works, particularly those that engage with non-Western musical traditions or modal harmony. It also serves as a sophisticated standalone recital piece for accomplished pianists in student showcases, faculty recitals, or concert series focused on American composers.

Skills your students will build

  • Reading and performing music in modal and extended harmonic language
  • Voice leading across non-traditional chord progressions
  • Structural analysis of 20th-century sonata forms
  • Interpretive decision-making in repertoire without standard expressive markings
  • Pedal technique for blending dissonant harmonies

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