Sonatina in E Flat Major

This song is a good example of the commonly recurring patterns in sonatinas. Often, there are one or two short melodies, or ideas, that are repeated and expanded on throughout the whole song. This helps to provide a sense of connection as it continues.

I remember writing on the sheet music for this song: OANO (Ornaments Are Not Optional!) In this song, I especially liked the left hand part (although it is fast-paced and can get tricky sometimes!)

2016 (!) recording - the new recording is below


Returning here in 2024, I've made some major improvements to this one. In the original recording, the left hand was very loud compared to the melody.

It sounded almost like I was "swinging" some parts, especially the left hand ostinato at the beginning. I'm disappointed. I used to think I always had a good sense of rhythm. Maybe my hands were too small back then. I don't have a video from then.

Once again, I was preparing for an RCM exam, so I didn't play the repeats as written in the score.
I even stopped and corrected in the middle of the recording. These days, if I had done that, it would've been a write-off for the recording and I would've made a new take. My teacher always told me to try and keep going after making a mistake, rather than stopping and correcting.

Thankfully, the original recording has good dynamics, and I didn't hold notes longer than written. I must have spent time practicing this.

I'm suspicious the tempo wasn't consistent.

Either the G major section was too loud, or I didn't set up my piano well so the loudest notes were "clipped" off.

I had one too many repeats on the trill section right before the second theme returns in Eb major (2:27 there, 3:48 here), but I think that happened on this new one, too.

New recording (2024):