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Sinfonia for Band (originally Sonatine for Band) was commissioned by the Morenci High School Band, Morenci, Michigan, Doyle Rodenbeck, director. It received it's world premier at Morenci High School in March, 1976. Sonatine for Band is a rare (for Michael Pratt) piece of pure music with no program at all or even any evocative titles. Since the commissioning group had an overabundance or percussionists the piece calls for ten percussion players (twice as many as normal).
The form of the piece is sonata allegro form, hence the title (a diminutive sonata). The general harmonic style is quartal harmony (chords based on intervals of a fourth) rather than triadic harmony (chords based on intervals of a third). This type of harmony was used most extensively by twentieth century German composer Paul Hindemith. The first movement opens with a small "homage" to Hindemith by using the same first four notes as the last movement (March) from his Symphonic Metamorphosis. The first movement contains the standard exposition, development, and recapitulation sections. The second movement is a typical slow movement and the Sonatine concludes with a lively rondo
Duration: 9 minutes. The score and parts (printed with Finale) are available for performance. For further information contact the composer below.
