IOl
Interestingly, Oxford University Press, which publishes the work, describes the
Viola Sonata as “A Classical layout with long lyrical lines suitable for conservatory
students.”22 Indeed, the technique required for both musicians is challenging, but aside
from a few demanding passages, the piece is manageable for advanced pianists and
violists. However, Oxford’s description does raise the question of what a “classical
layout” means in a twenty first century context. The phrase “long lyrical lines” is also
somewhat ambiguous in the context of this piece. Both of these issues are central in any
analysis of the work.
The composer herself is more interested in combining her philosophy about the
infinite nature of music with her desire to create a work that is unique and “American.”
I don’t really plan out tonal centricity, and I don’t pre-compose, because if
I did, then I wouldn’t be in service of my instincts. You know, and all the
hard work that I do is so that I can put all the techniques in the service of
instinct, and let instinct write the piece.23
As in her earlier works, Larsen is consciously creating an “American” sounding piece,
yet in the Viola Sonata she does not begin with any particular story or scenario. However,
Larsen does concede that American music (mostly early rock ’n’ roll and jazz) plays a
large role throughout the work and is quick to name the music of Les Paul, Mary Ford,
Wes Montgomery, and Ella Fitzgerald in particular as general influences in the
composition of this work. While she was writing the sonata, Larsen was beginning work
on her opera, Picnic?4 set in 1950’s America, and had the music of this era on her mind.
22
Oxford University Press “Larsen Viola Sonata”
http://www.oup.com/us/catalog/general/?queryField=keyword&query=larsen+viola+sona
ta&view=usa&viewVeritySearchResults=true (accessed 8 February 2010).
23
Andrea Mittemight, “An Original Work: “Brothers and Sisters” and Songs from Letters
by Libby Larsen” (DMA diss., Louisiana State University, 2004), 201.
24 This opera was adapted from the play by William Inge and premiered in 2009.