Classical Scrambles

Programme Notes

Classical Scrambles is a collection of pieces for intermediate to advanced piano students. However, I cannot claim these compositions as entirely my own creation. Rather, they are a reorganization, reordering, and modernization of existing movements from sonatinas by composers of the Classical period. My compositional approach was heavily influenced by three main sources of 20th-century music: John Oswald’s Plunderphonics, Libby Larsen’s quotation music, and the use of John Cage’s I Ching philosophy.

The sources of these pieces are common in the piano student repertoire. Therefore, one might find it easier and more interesting to have studied the original pieces first.

Beethoven – based on Sonatina in F major, 1st movement, Anh. 5 by Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827). Level 5. Duration: 1:15.

Clementi – based on Sonatina in F major, 2nd movement, Op. 36 No. 4 by Muzio Clementi (1752-1832). Level 6. Duration 2:00.

Bolck – based on Sonatina in G major, 3rd movement, Op. 59 No. 2 by Oskar Bolck (1839-1888). Level 7. Duration: 1:30.

Cimarosa – based on Sonatina in B flat major, 3rd movement, No. 27, Vol. 1 by Domenico Cimarosa (1749-1801). Level 8. Duration: 1:45.

– Frank Horvat