The Sonatina for Cello was written in 1975 at the request of the cellist Christopher Salmon and is in three succinct movements. The first has an angular main theme and a broad, lyrical second theme, contrasted throughout the movement; the second has a cantabile 6/8 theme that ushers in a faster figure, and builds to a searing climax; and the finale, again in 6/8 time, is full of cross-rhythms and has a rather mercurial quality.
