I started the Arabella in late 2022, however, it was a bad year and it lay ‘on the shelf’ for some 12 months. I restarted the piece in November 2023 it was completed on January 1st, 2024. Of course, I say finished as there is always something you can find to change. The work is in sonata form and starts with an introduction, ‘Baroque’ (or maybe Classical) in atmosphere. The second subject is in the minor key. Next, there is a shift to the major key and a jaunty, new theme, a codetta, is introduced which leads into the repeat of the exposition. This new section makes a break from the earlier style and is a little tongue-in-cheek.
The development progresses through a string of key changes and directly into the jaunty section, which I find exciting. The recapitulation leads to the second subject and then uses the codetta material to reach a rousing climax.
The movement contains themes which appear contradictory but I feel the balance is good and that the piece ‘works.’
The Arabella is dedicated to Jeremy Brown, who lives in Tweedmouth. Berwick upon Tweed.
Movement two is now in progress.