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Each of the three movements in the piano sonata Voices is based on a theme written by a female composer. Fanny, which references Fanny Mendelssohn’s Song for the Piano Op. 8 No. 3 (1850), is very “classical” in regards to its sonata form and lyrical, Romantic melodies.
However, Fanny’s abruptly-changing moods lead straight into Hildegard, a chant-like movement based on the hymn Ave generosa (ca. 1140) by Hildegard von Bingen. The chant sections alternate with a chorale theme, each rendition building in intensity before fading away into nothing.
The final movement, Clara, takes inspiration from Clara Schumann’s Romanze in B minor (1856). Fiery, spiraling energy precedes a minimalistic middle section full of dynamic swells and bursts. The work closes with a final sigh of the descending theme.