Thanks to the tireless advocacy of the pianistSimon Callaghan, the music of the Derbyshire-bornRoger Sacheverell Coke has started to emerge from theobscurity in which it has languished since thecomposer’s death in 1972. Despite showingconsiderable early promise, Coke remained anoutsider in British musical life. His three cello sonatasframe the years 1936 to 1941 a very productive periodin Coke’s life. The second cello sonata in C major op. 29 coincideswith a decisive moment in Coke’s compositionaldevelopment. While in the throes of composing thesonata in October 1938, Coke decided to destroy of anumber of early works he now regarded as immature –notably his first symphony and first piano concerto – anaction reported in the Sheffield Telegraph (11 October1938) presumably after a tip-off from Coke himself.Perhaps for this reason, the work seems to have held aparticular significance to the composer. The sonataopens in declamatory style with an insistent themeintroduced by the cello with forceful pianoaccompaniment, immediately signalling a wideemotional range and a more dynamic relationshipbetween the two instruments.
- ISMN: 9790708167396 (M708167396)