Cornerstone Sonata for Clarinet (A or Bb)

Upon hearing Markovich’s Cornerstone Sonata for Viola/Piano, renowned clarinetist Franklin Cohen requested a clarinet version. This is a programmatic piece based on a poem called “The Bully and The Cornerstone.” Throughout the piece, you will hear the stone cutters chipping away, spewing mockery and anger or pleading for mercy. You will feel the sadness and rejection of the destined cornerstone and the power of the Master Builder who steps in to choose the rejected stone as the best. OR

Markovich’s Cornerstone Sonata, dedicated to her friend Franklin Cohen is a captivating programmatic composition. Inspired by the poem “The Bully and The Cornerstone,” the music vividly portrays the struggle and transformation of the central character—the cornerstone.

As the piece unfolds, the stone cutters’ relentless chipping reverberates through the music, their voices alternating between mockery, anger, and desperate pleas for mercy. The listener is drawn into the emotional landscape, feeling the weight of rejection and sorrow carried by the destined cornerstone.

 Yet, amidst this turmoil, a powerful force emerges—the Master Builder. With unwavering resolve, the Master Builder recognizes the hidden potential within the rejected stone. Against all odds, the cornerstone is chosen, elevated, and ultimately revealed as the best.

In the delicate interplay of notes and themes, we witness the resilience of the human spirit—the ability to rise above adversity, find purpose, and become something greater. Markovich’s Cornerstone Sonata invites us to reflect on our own journeys, celebrating the transformative power of choice and redemption.