So for me, that's a subjective judgement … Nancarrow is simply the most important composer in our time. He made something completely original, totally different from what others did, on the highest level, on the level of Johann Sebastian Bach, or late Beethoven. — György Ligeti

Conlon Nancarrow’s Sonatina was the first piece composed while he was in exile in Mexico City. Its difficultly and complexity for human players eventually led him towards devising methods for creating the music for mechanical player piano, which would be able to realize his ideas while simultaneously expanding his sonic appetites and imaginative clarity.

Conlon Nancarrow
Sonatina For Piano
Mexico City, Mexico
1941

Performed by Gavin Gamboa
Kawee’nga Studio
Los Angeles, California, United States
2024 March 22

Artwork
Ted Nava

View Conlon Nancarrow ⎮ Sonatina in the digital garden.