Scott Terzaghi (cello), Terence Dennis (piano). Recorded by RNZ Concert, 1 October 1982.
Christopher Norton Photo: Supplied
Christopher Norton was born in New Zealand in 1953 and moved to the UK in 1977 on a New Zealand Government Scholarship. In 1983, Norton was signed by Boosey & Hawkes and the first of the Microjazz series appeared – music which appealed greatly to children and teenagers but was sufficiently rooted in the classical tradition to be useful as teaching material. The series has expanded over 20 years to include music for all of the major instruments with piano, ensemble books and midi file backings. It is now the biggest selling music series for Boosey & Hawkes, with over a million sales to date.
Christopher Norton's 'Sonatina for cello and piano' was written in 1975 at the request of the cellist Christopher Salmon. In three succinct movements, the Sonatina has a first movement with an angular main theme and a broad, lyrical second theme, contrasted throughout the movement. The second movement has a cantabile 6/8 theme which ushers in a faster figure that builds to a searing climax. The finale, again in 6/8 is full of cross-rhythms and has a rather mercurial quality.
