The 1940s was Prokofiev's decade of the violin sonata. During that time, the composer was to complete three sonatas, two for violin and piano, and a third for violin solo that was conceived in part as an etude as much as a sonata. The two sonatas with piano in particular have maintained a prominent place in the violin repertoire and among Prokofiev's works in general. The two haunting, at times despondent movements of the First Sonata were performed by Oistrakh at Prokofiev's funeral. The Second Sonata, written originally ...
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The 1940s was Prokofiev's decade of the violin sonata. During that time, the composer was to complete three sonatas, two for violin and piano, and a third for violin solo that was conceived in part as an etude as much as a sonata. The two sonatas with piano in particular have maintained a prominent place in the violin repertoire and among Prokofiev's works in general. The two haunting, at times despondent movements of the First Sonata were performed by Oistrakh at Prokofiev's funeral. The Second Sonata, written originally as a flute sonata but later adapted by the composer for violin, is in the sunny key of D major. It is filled with bright, youthful optimism that is still tempered by moments of stern seriousness and weightiness. Fresh from his First Prize victory at the 2010 Montreal International Musical Competition, violinist Benjamin Beilman joins forces with pianist Yekwon Sunwoo in performances of the complete sonatas on this Analekta disc. Beilman's playing reflects the many moods found in these...
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