Martin Dalby

A Plain Man's Hammar

The whole shape of A Plain Man's Hammer owes something to classical sonata form. It is a two part form of which the first is an exposition containing two tonally contrasted subjects and the second contains a development section where harmonies move rapidly towards a recapitulation of the two original subjects, this time the contrast being reconciled in the home key. The first large section of A Plain Man's Hammer is an exposition containing two main ideas and other material associated with them. Development is replaced by a parade of incomplete parodies: a waltz almost in the style of Chopin; a sort of Tango; a Mahlerian march; something close to Janacek; a cheap imitation of a Flamenco; a corruption of Oranges and Lemons; a pop song; a military march which gets somewhat out of hand; a Viennese Waltz to set your feet tripping, and an even cheaper imitation of a Flamenco. At the end of the work the associated material of the opening reappears in maturity; the major ideas play a subservient role, reappearing only in the final coda. Duration: 14 mins.