Sonata sefardita (Sonata Sephardite)

The Sonata has three contrasting movements: The first is a fast movement in Sonata form without a development section. The first theme is original, written in an irregular rhythm, with a mysterious atmosphere. The second theme is based on the Jewish-Catalan song Shir Nasir. This section is more extensive than the first, because the Jewish melody is fragmented with motifs from the first theme. After a rhythmic dilation, we arrive at the abbreviated re-exposition, followed by a concluding section that returns to the initial mysterious atmosphere.

The second movement is very expressive and slow. It is a formal A-B-A where the main theme is the song Adio Kerida, with a melancholic tone. It is presented in E minor but the refrain is in A minor. Part B is a free space, with a more fluid rhythm.

Two songs form the thematic basis of the last movement: Hija Mía and Avraham avenu. It is in a lively tempo and in the form of a modified Rondo Sonata, which could be expressed in synthesis as A-B-A-C-A-D-A-B’- Coda. The central part (D), a little more relaxed, presents Avraham avenu, while the rest of the movement is based on the theme and variants of Hija Mía. Virtuosity and brilliance are present throughout the final part of the work.