Piano Sonata No. 2, a one-movement work of thirty-eight sections in eight different tempi, is approximately eleven minutes in length. This work best illustrates Tippett's mosaic style of synthesizing what at first may appear as fragments or pieces of a collage. In fact, Tippett originally intended to title the piece "Mosaics" because of the constant transformation of ideas, but determined that the work more closely resembled the sonata form. The unexpected shifts in tempi, musical ideas, and abrupt pauses without transition create enormous tension throughout. Tippett reiterates material and modifies some sections: Tempo 3 (mm. 8-14 and 258-264); Tempo 4 (mm.15-20, 30-35, 154-160); and Tempo 5 (mm. 22-29 and 162-169).

Tippett concludes the sonata with an approximate repetition of the opening Tempo 1 mm. 1-5 in measures 301-308, creating a circular effect. A brief coda follows and concludes the movement.



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