“Piano Sonata”, composed in 1948, is the only solo piano piece by Kishio Hirao. This work is filled with his unique charm, delicately fusing a French modern writing method and a lyrical Japanese musical mode. It is one of the masterpieces of contemporary Japanese piano sonatas.

This song was premiered by Hirao’s wife Taeko. She said that he was suffering from a relationship with another woman when he composed it, and this song was written as a confession of his own feelings. The same year, Hirao formed a composition group named “Chijinkai” with Koumei Abe, Saburō Takata, Kiyohiko Kijima and others. Then, he published many chamber music works.

Piano Sonata consists of three movements. The first movement and the third movement are in sonata form. In particular, the contrast between the intense first subject and the luscious second subject of the first movement is brilliant. At the beginning of the score, the following words are written by the

composer.

The first movement

The fight of souls between affliction and anxiety

– There is a lyrical sunshine, but it is covered with a dark storm cloud for a moment

The second movement

Confession of a soul which is sung gently – It

gradually storms, but ends sadly again

The Third Movement

The quick world of speed and exercise