Sonatina is a piano solo composed by John Ireland between 1926 and 1927. It consists of three movements: Moderato, Quasi lento, and Rondo. Ritmico, non troppo allegro. Ireland dedicated this piece to his friend Edward Clark, a conductor and BBC music producer.

The performance lasts about 10½ minutes. The term “sonatina” refers to a piece in basic sonata form that is shorter and lighter in character or technically simpler than a typical sonata.

Despite its brevity, the work required considerable effort from Ireland, as indicated by the dates on the score. The writing is dense and experimental in both harmonic language and form.

John Longmire noted that the ‘CAD’ motive in the second theme of the first movement refers to composer Arnold Bax. Ireland had affection for Faery, the younger daughter of the Hutchesons of the White House, Great Sampford. Bax won her affection, leading Ireland to use this theme as a form of revenge. Despite this, the two composers remained friends.

The Rondo was used as a test piece in the 1928 Daily Express Piano Competition, won by Cyril Smith. William Murdoch recorded it as a guide for competitors. Lewis Foreman commented that Ireland recognized the piano for its romantic and singing qualities, as well as its percussive potential.

The last movement was inspired by Sylvia Townsend Warner’s novel, Lolly Willowes, which tells the story of a spinster who moves to Great Mop, makes a pact with the devil, and becomes a witch. Ireland wrote to Jocelyn Brooke that Warner’s work often contains underlying irony, which can be both stimulating and destructive.