A Few Words on John McCabe’s Sonata for clarinet, cello and piano (1969)

John McCabe’s Sonata for clarinet, cello and piano dates from 1969. It was commissioned by the fabric manufacturer, Brocklehurst-Whiston Amalgamated for that year’s Macclesfield Arts Festival, and was dedicated to Gervase de Payer, William Pleeth and the Wallfisch Trio.  The work was given the title “Sonata” rather than “Trio” to “allow instruments to retain their individual voices, while letting them all work with roughly the same tunes, to interact rather than to combine in a more traditional manner.” (Liner Notes, Prima Facie PFNSCD 019). McCabe felt that “this approach, would be more in keeping with a less traditional, though equally abstract style.” This single movement Sonata is divided into five sections. The thematic material of the entire piece is presented in the opening bars by the clarinet. This is recalled in the concluding andante, giving the work a cyclic nature. The other instruments then begin to explore these statements in several linked but continuous sections. The progress of the music is exemplified by the individual characteristic of each instrument. The central ‘tristamente’ is the heart of the Sonata. There is exciting music in both the ‘allegro’ and the ‘vivo’ sections. I do not believe that a palindrome has been used here – though the formal working out of this Sonata is certainly well-balanced and turns upon the central section. 

The overall mood of the Sonata is introverted, but sometimes offset by some thrilling and often exhilarating music. There are one or two “extended” techniques used in this piece, including the piano strings plucked by the fingers and beaten with rubber hammers.

Finally, I understand that John McCabe has suggested that the inspiration for this work was partly derived from “a sense of loneliness and space, conveyed by sections of Stanley Kubrick’s film 2001: A Space Odyssey.” This mood is well-achieved, although offset by some dramatic and often exciting music. Whether this is a good analogy must be left up to the listener to decide.

A live performance of John McCabe’s Sonata for clarinet, cello and piano (1969) has been uploaded to YouTube. The performers are Linda Merrick, clarinet, Neil Heyde, cello and Aaron Shorr piano.

A subsequent post will look at the concert and score reviews of this Sonata.