Programme notes:

Tereza Jaďuďová (b. 2001)
Grande Sonate, Op. 5
Written in 2013

Tereza Jaďuďová’s Grande Sonate, Op. 5, is an ambitious and emotionally charged piano work in six movements, composed largely during a stay in Novi Vinodolski, Croatia. Dedicated to her family and mentors, and shaped by her admiration for Chopin, the sonata is described by the composer as a “refined gem” of her repertoire—demanding both technical control and deep emotional sensitivity. Each movement contributes to a dynamic narrative that spans introspection, virtuosity, tenderness, and exuberance.

I. Allegro ma non troppo
A stormy and dramatic opening, full of rhythmic drive and motivic intensity. The movement balances clarity of form with expressive freedom, introducing thematic ideas that will resonate throughout the sonata.

II. Scherzo
Playful, sharp-edged, and full of rhythmic mischief, this movement contrasts lightness with sudden harmonic surprises. A tight structure supports its quicksilver character, demanding precise articulation and wit from the performer.

III. Adagio
The emotional heart of the sonata. Broad, lyrical lines unfold with sincerity and depth, drawing on Romantic traditions while maintaining the composer’s personal idiom. Rubato and dynamic shaping are essential to bring out its soulful core.

IV. Allegro ma non troppo
A return to restless energy, this movement pulses with forward momentum and shifting textures. Its fiery temperament calls for both agility and structural awareness, pushing the performer to balance drama with coherence.

V. Sostenuto
A meditative and harmonically rich interlude, offering contrast through stillness and introspection. Subtle voicing and pacing are crucial here, as the music breathes in long, expressive phrases.

VI. Allegro ma non troppo
The final movement gathers the emotional threads of the previous sections into a vibrant and powerful conclusion. With its driving rhythm, fugal elements, and bold harmonies, it brings the sonata to a satisfying and triumphant close.