Leo? Janá?ek

Janácek began writing his only mature violin sonata in 1914. He worked on it during the Great War, and gave it the final touches for its premiere only in 1922. It is a short and concentrated work, in the typical late style of the composer, based on short motives, swift changes of tempo, and intense emotional expression. The work has four movements. The first, con moto, is passionate and lyrical. It opens with an intense ascending phrase of the solo violin, followed by a tense lyrical melody accompanied by piano tremolos. The development builds to an anguished climax that leads to the reprise. The second movement, Ballade, con moto, is a warm melody based on a simple motive of folk flavor, supported by the piano's broken chords. The third movement, Allegretto, is a very peculiar two-minute scherzo. The finale, Adagio, opens and closes in desolation. The central section grows to a tense climax and then resignedly subsides into the opening material.

-- Hector Bellman