Klaviersonate No 2
Ludger Hofmann-Engl

This is one of the earliest composition by Hofmann-Engl and dates back to 1983 and clearly represents his early style. It is in three movements (fast, slow, fast) following the classical schema as found in many of Mozart's and Beethoven's piano sonatas. Stylistically there are two major influences: Bartok's pianistic complexity and Ligeti's cluster technique. The first movement (allegro moderato) resembles the sonata form exposing two themes, a form of elaboration, a short reprise and a dynamic coda. The second movement (andante) is almost throughout in quaver motion and appears to be inspired by the first movement of the moonlight sonata and the c-major prelude from Das wohltemperierte Klavier. The third movement (allegro) might be best described as a succession of musical ideas which are only unified via their rhythmical expressiveness.