JAVS Fall 1995

16

Ponce's fondness for chromatic mediant relationships was manifested in such early works as the Piano Concerto (1911), the Trio Rornantico (1911) for violin, cello and piano, and the suite Estampas Nocturnas (1912) for string orchestra. Mature works--especially the Sonata III (1927) for guitar and the Violin Concerto (1943)-make extensive use of them. In m. 9 (Ex. 5) a doubly chromatic mediant relationship between the chords of C minor and A major the passage a forward-looking sound that is enhanced by the use of parallel fifths. last movement is in rondo form. It has six statements of the refrain, five different episodes, and a small coda. Harmonically, the refrains are treated traditionally while the episodes show a more contemporary approach. The movement begins with the theme pre sented in fugato style (Ex. 6). The violin solo introduces the subject (rnm, 1-8) in the key of C major. Following standard procedures, the viola proceeds with a real answer in the key of the dominant while the violin provides the countersubject (mrn. 9-14). Melodic mode mixture (VI. m. 2, VIa. m. 10) and the use of Neapolitan harmonies (mm.5-6 and mm. 13-14) give the subject a characteristic Spanish flair.

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Example 6. Mov. IlL mm. 1-15

Most episodes have strong modal harmonic tendencies, often with extended pedalslosti natos. Sometimes modes are used in pure form. Other times, they appear in combination with altered notes for dissonance and harmonic interest. Example 7 shows a portion of one of the episodes. Here, the F# dorian mode is featured in both instruments, without altered notes, in an extended passage with a viola ostinato that lasts a total of fourteen measures. An F# minor seventh harmony is implied throughout the passage.