Karel Husa

Sonatina

Karel Husa (b. 1921) is an American composer and conductor who was born and raised in Czechoslovakia. He entered the Prague Conservatory in 1941, where his Sonatina For Piano (Opus 1) was written in1943. It was first performed there in 1945, and not published until 1947, when he graduated from the Prague Academy and moved to Paris to continue his studies.

The Sonatina is scored in three movements:Allegretto Moderato - Andante Cantabile - Allegretto Marciale. It is strongly tonal in the classical style, with few hints of the twentieth century dissonance that would later define his work. However, as alwayswithHusa, hints of Czech folk song can be found lurking under the surface.