Rodolfo Halffter

Sonata op. 16

Rodolfo Halffter (1900-1987) was a Spanish composer who was exiled to Mexico in 1939 following the Spanish civil war, and spent the majority of the rest of his life there. His Sonata op. 16 (1947) was the first of three Sonatas for solo Piano. Like most of his early compositions, its tonality and harmonies are clearly inspired by Scarlatti and Falla, displaying only traces of the serialism that would later dominate his works. Light-hearted, dance-like, and quirky, this attractive piece is immediately likeable. Scored in three movements: Allegro Deciso - Moderato Cantabile, Molto Espressivo - Allegro Con Spirito.