Sonatina by John Boda

Solo Title: Sonatina
Composer and Arranger: John Boda (1922-2002)
Publisher Code: Robert King Music/Alphonse Leduc, 48185212
Date Published: 1954
Clef: Bass
Purchase Link: Sheet Music Plus
Professional Recordings: YouTube

John Boda’s Sonatina is written in two movements of similar tempi. The first movements contain both 6/8 and 9/8 with large contrasts in dynamics ranging from “piano” to “fortissimo.” With a scalar-like flow, the first movement also contains a wide range of pitch that ends on an F2. The second movement marked “Fast, Crisp” is written in cut time with sharp, pointed eighth-notes lines. In the middle of the second movement, the style shifts from technical to a lyrical, triplet flow marked with occasional 3/2 time signatures. After this brief interlude, the style switches back to the original style found at the beginning of the movement, ending with a ripping glissando from a sixth position A3 to D4.

Movements and Tempo MarkingsDuration
I. Moderate tempo (dotted q=80)4'
II. Fast, crisp (h=112-116)3'
Organization’s Class and Grade Levels FMEAISSMAITANYSSMAOMEAPMEAUIL
(What is This?)NLYes45NL51
Grading Points ScaleLevelTotal PointsRangeRhythmTempoDurationBonus
(What is This?)--E2 to A416th98 bpm7'syncopation,
meter changes
4 (3.7)18.52.55.5272