I. Allegro 00:00
II. Adagio ma non troppo 11:49
III. Andante - Allegretto - Andantino 21:21
One of Witold Lutosławski's earliest works, Piano Sonata was written in 1934, while he was a student of the Warsaw Conservatory. It was never published in Lutosławski's lifetime, the composer treating it more as a reflection of his composing abilities during his studies than a mature composition. Sonata makes clear references to French impressionistic music of the early 20th century (especially Maurice Ravel), and these are particularly audible in the characteristic formation of the melodic and harmonic line which is based mostly on spread chords.
The first movement is an incredible costant cascade of colors and breathtaking harmonies...The initial allegro also contains one of the most beautiful themes I've ever heard in any early 20th Century piano sonata (1:24).
Second movement, an incredibly melancholic and reflective meditation, much more tonally stable than the previous movement. It goes from cariollon-sounding textures to crystaline, romantic dashes of emotion.
Thirs movement is glittering, shimmering, colorful, intense and much more playful than the previous one, it ends the piece with a suave and dreamy figuration in the highest register of the keyboard.