Sonata for Accordion (1991)

by Anthony Newman

About the piece

Sonata for Accordion is a 3 movement work in Newman's expanded tonal idiom.  Mr. Newman derived inspiration for the piece from Dvorak's Bagatelles, whose scoring included harmonium, a free-reed cousin of the accordion.  The first movement has the texture of an organ composition, but utilizes the accordion's bellows tremolo.  The second movement is a simple, plaintive Choral.  The third movement is a tour de force Tarantella, with an angular, almost dodecaphonic line, driving rhythm and arresting bellows tremolo effects.  Together, the three movements create a virtuosic, modern sonata which joins the literature as a rich vehicle for the bayan/accordion's unique expressivity.

I have a computer performance (on audio cassette) of the piece that is very useful in getting a sense of how the piece should sound.  

Notes from the 1991 edition:

The piece in jpeg format. Please feel free to download and print. 

1st movement:  Prelude

2nd movement:  Choral

3rd movement:  Tarantella