The Violin Sonata is a major work for violin and piano of thirty five minutes duration composed in five movements. Both instruments carry equal weight throughout the work. The first movement opens with perfect fourths on the piano answered by fifths on the open strings of the violin. This juxtaposition of fourths and fifths is then much developed throughout the work. At times both the violin and piano break out into cadenza-like passages. Ostinati are much used in both the first and last movements. The second, slower movement comes as a relief after the mania of the first movement. The third movement begins with ricochet bowing on the violin against which the piano runs around in semi-quavers. After a 'volcanic' climax the fourth movement begins with a cadenza of disturbing minor ninths for piano solo, which is then echoed by the violin before finally settling into a slow repetitive pattern of chords on the piano over which the violin makes an attempt at a melody. The finale begins with violin pizzicato and makes a nod towards jazz in the coda, ending with a final abrupt stop and de-tuning of the violin.
