Alban Berg

Sonate for Piano op. 1

The only piano work of Alban Berg (1885-1935) to include an opus number, Sonate for Piano, Op. 1, represents the first fruition of his compositional studies under Arnold Schönberg. Likely completed in 1909, the work is cast in a single movement. Initially trying to sketch material for additional movements, Berg lamented that he lacked inspiration. His mentor assured him that he had said all that there was to say. Etta Werndorff gave the first performance in Vienna on April 24, 1911. The sonata was revised in 1920 and 1925. (11:00)