Sophia Dussek
By Henri-Pierre Danloux
Sophia Dussek (1775-1847) was an English singer, harpist, and composer. After studying with her father, she made her singing début at the Salomon concerts in 1791 under the direction of G.F. Haydn. A regular performer on the series, Dussek premiered Haydn’s The Storm and was a soloist in the London premiere of W.A. Mozart’s Requiem. Dussek moved to Paddington in 1812 where she founded a music school and published extensively. Her compositional output is primarily for harp and consists of sonatas and six books of themes and variations. She also wrote 3 sonatas for keyboard and violin, a piano sonata, and a sonata for keyboard, violin, and German flute.
Resources
Sources
Jackson, Barbara Garvey, Howard Allen Craw, and Bonnie Shaljean. “Dussek, Sophia.” Grove Music Online. 20 Jan. 2001.
Works Featured on Expanding the Music Theory Canon
In April When Prim Roses
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Pages: Intervals, Anticipation, 6/4 Chords,
Ye Banks and Braes
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Pages: Compound Meters, Neighbor Tone, Period,
Spanish Boleros
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Pages: Cadences, Predominant, 6/4 Chords
Variations on In My Cottage in a Wood
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Pages: Cadences, Predominant, 6/4 Chords,
Variations on Lewie Gordon
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Page: Cadences
Variations on Beauty in Tears
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Pages: Predominant, Theme and Variations
“Andante” from Sonata II in G Major, Op. 2
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Pages: 6/4 Chords, Period, Binary
Andante from Sonata 1 in B-Flat Major, Op. 2
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Pages: Period, Binary
Allegro Moderato from Sonata 1, Op. 2
Full Score
Page: Sonata
Allegro Moderato from Sonata 3, Op. 2
Full Score
Page: Sonata
Rondo from Sonata 2, Op. 2
Full Score
Page: Rondo
Rondo from Sonata 3, Op. 2
Full Score
Page: Rondo
Rondo from Sonata 1, Op. 2
Full Score
Page: Rondo
Variations on Ye Banks and Braes
Full Score
Page: Theme and Variations
“Andantino” from Sonata 3 in C Minor, Op. 2
Full Score
Page: Binary