Tippett originally intended the first movement of Piano Sonata No. 1 as a set of variations on an original theme. He completed the sonata in 1938, published it in 1942. The original name was Fantasy Sonata since it departed from the usual four movement classical sonata form with a set of variations as the first movement, followed by a slow movement, a sonata-allegro, and lastly a rondo-finale. In 1954 Tippett re-designated the work as a sonata for the second edition because it adhered more closely to this form than to that of a fantasy. The first movement, a set of variations, contains a theme that is in two parts. Each has a variation that is repeated at a quicker tempo that is followed by a slow variation, a scherzo, a cadenza variation, and finally a restatement of theme. Each ventures from a romantic style, to counterpoint, to keyboard music of the Elizabethan era, Scottish folk music, and even Indonesian folk idiom.

"Ca' the yowes" serves as the subject of a two part invention in the slow movement. The motive appears three times with the intervening invention separating the statements.

The third movement, a scherzo serves as the focal point of energy in its sonata-allegro containing six themes. Combining a scherzo and sonata form proved nearly impossible to integrate successfully. While there is not enough time to provide the variety of rhythmic pace, the energy and vitality of the scherzo more than make up for it.

Rondo-finale combines the sonata-rondo form with a development section similar to a concerto. Surprisingly, the recapitulation does not begin in the tonic G, but in E flat. Integrating jazz-like rhythms and European harmonies is the most striking characteristic of the finale.



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