Piano Sonata No.3

“The Garden of Earthly Delights” by Hieronymus Bosch is one of his greatest masterpieces. This is a triptych oil painting on oak panel which when closed, offers us yet another panel to intake. The Piano Sonata is a parallel representation of what for me, the painting is portraying. The Sonata’s musical form is closely bound to the physical construction of Bosch’s painting. When closed, we have an independent panel (Prologue) preparing the presentation of the three inner panels. Once open, we can appreciate the triptych with its three panels which are meant to be observed from left to right (Movements I - II - III). When open, the proportions of all three panels are mirrored within the proportions between the three movements of the Sonata once past the Prologue. For months, I composed this work with Hieronymus Bosch’s painting hanging above my work desk. This allowed me to stare at it with fixed eyes and much intensity, absorbing the overwhelming details of this work which was in every way ahead of its time. The music which came out from me is a transparent representation of my perception of what Bosch was attempting to pass on to us. Whenever possible, one should listen to this Sonata while staring endlessly at the corresponding panel, hoping that the experience will near itself to what I lived day in and day out while composing this work. 

I render my gratitude to my wife Constanza for having provided me with my own copy of “The Garden of Earthly Delights” which accompanied me through the process of composition as well as for having guided me to discover and connect in depth with this masterpiece by Hieronymus Bosch.