Don Banks: Sonatina in C# minor (late 40s) - 1. Allegro con spirito - Andante

Abstract

Sonatina dates from the period just before Don Banks (1923-1980) left Australia in 1950 to study abroad. It is a student work, but fascinating as it encapsulates many of the traits of the mature composer: a fastidious craftsmanship; careful control over form; and the presence of a jazz beat lurking somewhere behind the fagade. The first movement is in a five-part form - the first two ideas of the work are in allegro and andante tempi, respectively, and are easy to identify. In the middle, the tempo speeds up into a vivace and then, via a cantabile, the first idea and tempo reappear. The second movement is a free-flowing counterpoint, suggesting solo instruments and finally strongly reminiscent of the kind of jazz piano that Banks himself played at the time. The last movement is closer to a rondo form, in that the opening idea reappears between incursions of other contrasting episodes; here classical counterpoint and jazz rub shoulders with a short venture into something approaching a Webernian sparseness. Sonatina is quite expansive and could almost be labelled a sonata in its scope. Banks, together with Richard Meale and Keith Humble, went on to become the leading Australian composers of their generation.