Devil's Dance
for Violin and Piano (1972)
by Ron Hannah

"Sonatina for Violin and Piano" is a very early student work, undistinguished but for one thing: the last movement, a quick dance in 11/8 time which poured forth one day in a blinding fury.
YOU KNOW WHAT WOULD HAVE BEEN REALLY NICE?
If people had actually complied with my endless requests
to be informed of performances of this piece.
It's probably the most popular thing
I have ever written. A tracker on the site
tells me that it has been downloaded and heard
hundreds of times, though not by whom,
AND
no one has ever informed me about dates, locations
or performers. Maybe I'm famous in Albania - I'd like to know -
but no one has said a word.
Thus I sadly restrict viewers to the first 3 pages only.
and a portion of an audio file.
I hate to do this, but if you want the rest, you must visit the
Canadian Music Centre
or send me an email
- and promise to inform me of performances!

View & hear pages 1 to 3

    My hand shook as I sat in the University library and wrote as fast as I could, fearing horribly that the connection would be broken and I would be left to struggle as usual with my self-doubt.



Featured on my 1st exclusive CD:
RONALD HANNAH
  Chamber Music /
Musique de Chambre /
Kammermusik

Originally featured on
"Devil's Dance"
Joanna Ciapka Sangster, violin
Mikolaj Warszynski, piano

But it remained steady and two hours later I held a perfect jewel in my hands. Is this how Mozart wrote? Knowing that not one note would ever have to be altered? God, I wish that inspiration would come again (it did, actually, just once: see my Rag-sextet for another amusing anecdote), and I am now pleased to say that it has been re-released on my own dedicated CD (with the permission of the performers).

I would never let the entire sonatina be performed publicly, so don't ask (I don't think I even have it any more), but that magical movement can be found here as "Devil's Dance". Click here to see a list of known performances. It also exists as the 3rd movement of my Trio #1 for Piano, Violin and Cello. Adventurous violinists will enjoy this piece, I think. It would make a good encore number.

The first three pages of the score may be viewed and heard by clicking on the "Go" button, and if you wish to have the rest, and the Violin part, please send me an email, below, or visit the Canadian Music Centre.

Inquiries


Featured on my 1st exclusive CD: RONALD HANNAH Chamber Music / Musique de Chambre / Kammermusik	Originally featured on "Devil's Dance" Joanna Ciapka Sangster, violin Mikolaj Warszynski, piano