Daniel Dorff: Sonatina d'Amore


Sonatina d'Amore for Two Contrabassoons
Duration: c. 8' DETAILS COMMISSIONED by Susan Nigro for "The Two Contras" - Susan Nigro and Burl Lane (of the Chicago Symphony). PREMIERED on the Chicago Symphony WFMT-FM Radiothon by The Two Contras, June 1998. AVAILABLE from your favorite sheet music dealer, or direct from Presser. RECORDED on Crystal Records by The Two Contras. AUDIO EXCERPTS from the Crystal CD: from Mvt. 1 from Mvt. 2 from Mvt. 3 PROGRAM NOTES Sonatina d'Amore was commissioned by Susan Nigro and Burl Lane (The Two Contras) for their Crystal CD of contra duets, and I gave the piece an Italian title in Sue's honor. There's a play on words since some low instruments have amore in their names, like Oboe d'Amore. My love for the sound quality of the contrabassoon is also a big part of this Amore, especially with the rich resonant sound of Burl and Sue playing at the same time. Another reason for Amore is the relationship between the instruments - often like an operatic love duet with flirtatious counterpoint and resolved parallel thirds. Sonatina d'Amore was adapted for Two Bass (or Contrabass) Clarinets in 2023, in honor of the newly-formed Morii Duo (Lindsey Hutchinson and Rick Ferrarelli). REVIEWS "Daniel Dorff's Sonatina d'Amore is really a lovely work, with some enchanting melodic dialog." – American Record Guide (Steven E. Ritter), January 2000
	last updated May 4, 2026 home