Strings

String Works

Violin

Violin Sonata - duration 36:00

Violin Sonatina No.1 - duration 14:00

Viola

Viola Sonata No.1 - duration 20:00

Viola Sonata No. 2 - duration 23:00

Violin Sonata
I - Lento, II - Lento, III - Presto, IV - Con fuoco, V - Allegretto
A major work for violin and piano. Both instruments carry equal weight throughout the work. The first movement opens with the interval of a perfect fourth on the piano answered by perfect fifths on the open strings of the violin. This juxtaposition of fourths and fifths is then much developed throughout the work. At times 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 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 'G' string of the violin.

Viola Sonata No.1 in four movements – begins with a simple ‘Sephardic’ theme. This is treated to development and augmentation to become a dance, which then stalls. The slow movement opens with a lyrical melody. This gains momentum becoming a folk-like tune. The opening idea returns to peacefully close the movement. The third movement, composed during Christmas celebrations, is a Romance. The fourth movement begins with an angular, martial theme. This is developed and slowly gains momentum until the work resigns with a distant melody on viola harmonics.