sonata Emperor Sonata for Two Pianos

The Emperor Sonata for Two Pianos is he 14th sonata I wrote for piano (even though the 1st for two pianos). I consider this sonata my  1st sonata (because the other 13 before this one could fall into the "Sonatina" cathegory.). The idea with this piece was inspired by the concept of Liszt's Sonata in B flat minor of creating an enourmous sonata where all the sonata is a gigantic sonata form. The first movement introduces the first subject (the Prometheus Theme by Beethoven). Second movement he second subject. Finally the third would be a third subject and the  development . The cadenza its the recapitulation where all the subjects are restated in the same key and are transformed into this kind of "Fugue" where all the subjects sound toghether in harmony. The sonata is inspired in the 5th symphony of Beethoven, the first movement starts in C minor and the last in the glorious C mayor.

During most of the piece the doted rythim can be heard. That rythim is for simulating a horse running.

MOVEMENT I (Allegro)

The first movement is written in sonata form. The first subject is introduced in C minor (1:28 min), the second subject (the Prometheus Theme by Beethoven) is presented in G mayor (2:20 min). The movement stills need to be finished (a lot) Ingnore from minute 3 until the end.

MOVEMENT II (Adagio)

The second movement is written in G mayor,  (it needs to be transposed to D mayor so the theme in the second movement is in the dominant of the Prometheus Theme). The movement is still very raw. Its still needs to be developed and polished. In 4:13 min, the arpeggios of the first movement reapear. 

MOVEMENT III (Alegro Maestoso)

The third movement, the finale, presents the last subject (that is just a baseline for the ending "fugue"). Then it develops the baseline and repeats it again. When the coda starts (5:48 min), there is where I need to work. In that part the "fugue" will enter (6:04 min).

An ambitious piece. I applaud you for attempting something like this. I hope you find my feedback useful and constructive. 

That said, I really encourage you to listen to some pieces written for two pianos, because this piece hasn't taken advantage of the huge potential this can bring.

For very large sections, the lines are being doubled on the other instrument at an octave. The texture is very 'thin' because of this, there's little interest to be had. However, note that repetitive patterns alone are not necessarily 'bad': the Moonlight sonata's famous first movement has broken arpeggios throughout, but in that piece, the interest is kept primarily with the harmonic progressions and, to a lesser extent, the melody at the top. For me, this is this piece's problem, neither the texture, harmony or melody do enough to keep my attention.

For textural variety, i'd recommend removing some of that octave doubling and experiment with some counterpoint ideas. Also, it's ok to sometimes give one of the instruments some time for a solo section, or set one to have a more accompanying role.

For harmonic variety, consider following the blueprint for sonata-form, this will help you create some drama.

Interesting, I have never thought of making all the movements come into a Giant sonata form.

About the first movement, I have to say that, I don't fell that the themes are contrasting enought, they are very alike. I f you didn't tell me that those are suposed to be the themes of a sonata, I wouldn't figure it out. The first movement is smooth, with very little texturee. I have to agree with DanjTitchener about the ideas to make it more interesting.

The second movement has the same problem, no texture at all, the other piano just completes the harmony and nothing else. Think a 2 instrument piece as a conversation, following that comparation, your movement would be like 2 people talking at the same time and saying exactly the same.

I hope my comment helps you to make your sonata better, I really like the idea and I would like to hear it finished :3.

@DanJTitchener, @Tortualex Thanks for the advice, even though now I've set aside this project, I just needed this type of advice so when I come back woring on it I can modidify with some ideas in my head. I'll try to to take in account all the points you've mentioned. I think I'll be able to take in account almost everything because I aswell was not very satisfied with the direction It was going (That is why I posted here 😃 ) so thanks a lot for spendig some time giving some feedback!

My recomendation is less pedal, smoother transitions and more harmonic variety. Also when you repeat a melody you could add it some variations.