Jean-Pierre Vial
Sonata in E minor
(1961)
for piano
Duration: 15'
Solos:
piano
Sonata in E minor
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Work introduction
The Sonata in E minor is a “juvenile” work, probably completed by 1961 (maybe earlier): in those times, the young pianist composer did not worry about dating his scarce compositions.
In 1962, he tentatively submitted this piece for an (optional) test of music that was part of his school leaving exam. The examiner, however, a bit suspicious (peace to her memory!), objected that presenting a living composer's work was not allowed. Jean-Pierre Vial, not willing to die on that day, then performed a waltz by Chopin from memory and, despite a few wrong notes, got a pretty good exam mark.
All three movements of the sonata are influenced by the classical composers every novice pianist studies.