Grand Sonata in E-flat Major for Solo Piano

Maria F. Parke was born in London 1772-73 and died there in 1822. She was known as a pianist and composer. Her father and teacher, John Parke, was an oboist. She made her debut as both a singer and pianist when she was nine years old. She was well-known as a singer and performed in London and throughout England. As was typical in her era, she gave up her musical career when she married John Beardmore in 1815.

These Three Grand Sonatas by Maria Parke are well-developed three-movement sonatas typical of the London sonata style as seen in the keyboard works of Muzio Clementi. Her harmonic language shows Romantic inclinations. The sonatas contain a variety of rhythms, scalar passages, broken-chord accompaniment patterns, encompassing the whole range of the keyboard, hand crossings, sequences, phrase repetitions, melodic inventiveness, and folk-like melodies.

These sonatas for piano by Maria Parke are ensured an interesting position in the realm of keyboard music. They are inventive, charming, and give a glimpse of musical style in the transition period from the Classical to the Romantic. Performers, teachers, and students will enjoy these additions to the repertoire.

Maria F. Parke (1772-1822) was a pianist, composer, and singer, well-known throughout England. These three sonatas are well-developed three-movement sonatas typical of the London sonata style. The sonatas contain a variety of rhythms, scalar passages, broken-chord accompaniment patterns, phrase repetitions, melodic inventiveness, and folk-like melodies.