Fiorini Piano Sonatas

Karl Fiorini’s three piano sonatas, composed in 2017, 2021, and 2025, trace a fascinating evolution in his pianistic language. The latest sonata, recently commissioned by pianist Christine Zerafa through a project funded by Arts Council Malta, completes a series of works that, despite being written at four-year intervals, display striking contrasts in style and structure.

The First Sonata, a three-movement work, is defined by its dotted rhythmic motifs, jazz-inspired chordal textures, and recurring melodic patterns built on expanding intervals. In contrast, both the Second and Third Sonatas expand into a four-movement structure, reflecting a growing complexity in Fiorini’s compositional approach.

Written during the Covid-19 pandemic, the Second Sonata delves into deeply expressive melodic and harmonic material, particularly evident in its introspective third movement. Here, Fiorini begins to experiment with cross-rhythms, an element he refines even further in the Third Sonata. This latest work pushes rhythmic complexity to new heights, offering performers intricate technical challenges while immersing listeners in a hypnotic, quasi-minimalistic texture where delicate melodic lines float effortlessly.