Piano Sonata in F Minor
Navona, 2026
8/10
Listen to Piano Sonata In F Minor
The pianist-composer Vytautas Smetona brings a strong sense of detail to these Romantic-era selections, where the 4 movements were penned across 5 years and tips its hat to the harmonic language from the world of Brahms.
“Andante-Allegro” opens with the tuneful keys radiating tremendous warmth and eloquence thanks to Smetona’s agile fingers, and “Andante Con Moto” follows with a frisky mood, as the playful keys don’t take long to charm us.
The back half leads with the animated presence of the colorful “Allegro”, which later on finds itself in more reflective areas, and “Moderato” exits with rich and dynamic playing that mesmerizes us for 13+ minutes.
Smetona makes the most out of a four-note motif, strategic rhythm and structural awareness for a large-scale piano statement that’s rooted in conviction and artistry.
Travels well with: Laurie Altman- Songs And Poems Briefly; Patrick Moore- Four Generations