Piano Sonata by Joanne Baker
Piano Sonata by Joanne Baker. Written in 1948, this compact three-movement sonata captures the flavors of the mid-20th century neo-classical style with innovative harmonies that capture the listener's ear. One might hear hints of contemporary composers such as Paul Hindemith, Paul Creston, or Walter Piston. Indeed, elements throughout this work consist of quartal and quintal harmonies, bitonality, mixed meters, hemiola, and a juxtaposition of homophonic vs. polyphonic writing. A certain lyricism and immaculate clarity pervades the entire work.