Georges Jean Pfeiffer (1835-1908)

Nationality: French

Born: December 12, 1835, Versailles Died: February 14, 1908, Paris (age 72)

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Violin Sonata in e minor, Op. 66

(for violin and piano)

		I.	Allegro moderato
		II.	Presto
		III.	Andante
		IV.	Finale. Allegro marziale

Published: 1879 (age 43-44)

glossary

allegro [I]—fast, lively tempo. From the Italian word for cheerful or gay.
andante [I]—moderately slow tempo (e.g. walking). Faster than adagio but slower than allegretto
chamber music, Kammermusik [G], musique de chambre [F], musica da camera [I], musica cameralis [L]—"Classical Music" for a small ensemble, generally 8 or fewer players with a canonical emphasis on 3-6 players. explore
duo, duet, dueto [S], duetto [I], duett [G]—a work for two instruments; the ensemble itself
finale [I], final [F]—The final movement, sometimes explicitly titled thus
marcia [I], alla marcia, marche [F], Marsch [G], march [E], marciale, marziale—march, in the manner of a march, e.g. duple meter at a moderate but deliberate pace in a manner which may be proud, grand, like a parade or a show of military bravado.
moderato [I], moderamente, modéré [F], modérément [F]—moderately, at a moderate tempo, applying a touch of restraint to its related word(s), e.g. allegro moderato
opus [L], opera[pl], Op., Opp, WoO, Op. posth—work, as in a work of art. For unique identification, publishers/composers often assign an "opus number", abbreviated as "Op." (e.g. Op. 1). A range of works by opus number, uses the plural "opp." (e.g. "Opp. 1-3"). A single opus number may refer to a collection of works (e.g. a set of quartets) giving rise to designations like "Op. 1, No. 4". For misc. works without opus numbers, "WoO" is often used (e.g."Without Opus"). Posthumously assigned numbers may use "Op. posth". Opus numbers may not precisely reflect chronology (publication vs. composition), can be erroneous, sparse or duplicative. Thus, the works of some historically important composers may use separate catalog numbers (e.g. Bach, Haydn, Schubert). See wiki
presto—very fast, more so than allegro.
sonata [I], sonate [pl], suonato—Originally, "sounded" rather than "sung" (sonar vs. cantar), i.e. instrumental music. According to historical period, sonata began to imply a formal plan of movements as well as the structure within a single movement, e.g. "sonata form" and applies to instrumental sonatas, string quartets, symphonies, etc., all examples of the sonata principle. In general usage as a specific work title (e.g. violin sonata), it designates a multi-movement piece for solo or duo instruments with one of the instruments enjoying a feature role. wiki
violin sonata—a multi-movement work for violin and keyboard (or continuo) though there are sonatas for solo violin as well as sonatas in a single movement. While the violin would seem to be the featured instrument, many sonatas starting with the classical period find the piano to be an equal partner in the sense of a chamber work for two players.