The Piano & Percussion Arrangement of Ginastera���s First Piano Sonata

Widely recognized in Argentina as the nation’s quintessential standard piano work Alberto Ginastera’s Piano Sonata No. 1 Op. 22 has long been an integral part of recital programs and piano competitions around the world. In recent years the international percussion and piano communities have used arrangements of contemporary compositions to broaden the repertoire for this combination of instruments. This study sheds light on the details of the process of this arrangement. In particular what types of percussion instruments were selected based on researching Ginastera’s few orchestral works. In addition it documents the solo compositions up to the sonata that shed light on his use of the folk dance forms which are incorporated in the sonata and reveals how Ginastera uses these components so that interested percussionists can better explore the capabilities of the arrangement.