Brahms spent the summer of 1886 at his favorite retreat at Lake Thun, near Interlaken in Switzerland. There he concentrated on writing lieder and chamber works, among them the second violin sonata in A Major. The A Major Sonata is probably the most lyrical of Brahms's three sonatas for violin and piano. The reigning characteristics of the second violin sonata reflect Brahms's personality - his shyness and introspection, his originality and his intensity, sometimes all at once.
The sonata begins with a direct and immediate theme, first presented by the piano and then taken up by the violin. Serving as an antecedent to the dramaturgical line that is to unfold in the rest of the piece, the melody is sweet in its simplicity and powerful in spite of its lack of bombast.
Whereas in the first movement one theme flows directly into the next, and the conversational interchange between the two instruments is intriguing, the second movement can be separated into two alternating sections. Beginning with the bucolic Andante, the folk-like Vivace enjoys a slight hint of humor. The movement ends in a short, light blaze of excitement.
The finale, Allegretto grazioso, is unusual in that it is devoid of the usual bravura excitement in Romantic-period works. The graceful and elegant rondo begins with a soulful line expressed in sustained legato. Mid-movement, there is a rather sudden passionate outburst and emotional upheaval. However, the poignantly calm theme of the opening returns to end the work in an expression of triumphant dignity.Kobi Malkin
Classical Music | Violin Music
Johannes Brahms
Violin sonata No. 2 in A Major, Op. 100 Play
Recorded on 07/06/2011, uploaded on 01/26/2012
Musician's or Publisher's Notes
Brahms spent the summer of 1886 at his favorite retreat at Lake Thun, near Interlaken in Switzerland. There he concentrated on writing lieder and chamber works, among them the second violin sonata in A Major. The A Major Sonata is probably the most lyrical of Brahms's three sonatas for violin and piano. The reigning characteristics of the second violin sonata reflect Brahms's personality - his shyness and introspection, his originality and his intensity, sometimes all at once.
The sonata begins with a direct and immediate theme, first presented by the piano and then taken up by the violin. Serving as an antecedent to the dramaturgical line that is to unfold in the rest of the piece, the melody is sweet in its simplicity and powerful in spite of its lack of bombast.
Whereas in the first movement one theme flows directly into the next, and the conversational interchange between the two instruments is intriguing, the second movement can be separated into two alternating sections. Beginning with the bucolic Andante, the folk-like Vivace enjoys a slight hint of humor. The movement ends in a short, light blaze of excitement.
The finale, Allegretto grazioso, is unusual in that it is devoid of the usual bravura excitement in Romantic-period works. The graceful and elegant rondo begins with a soulful line expressed in sustained legato. Mid-movement, there is a rather sudden passionate outburst and emotional upheaval. However, the poignantly calm theme of the opening returns to end the work in an expression of triumphant dignity. Kobi Malkin
More music by Johannes Brahms
Ballade No. 3 in b minor, Allegro, Op. 10
Intermezzo in a minor, Op. 116, No. 2, from Seven Fantasies
Intermezzo No. 2 in A Major, from Six Piano Pieces, Op. 118
Sonata for Clarinet and Piano in E flat Major, Op. 120, No. 2
Variations on a theme by Paganini, Op. 35, Book 2
Scherzo for Violin and Piano in c minor, WoO posth. 2 (from F.A.E. Sonata)
Capriccio in c-sharp minor, from Eight piano pieces, Op. 76
Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 77 (Joachim cadenza)
Intermezzo in E Major, Op. 116, No. 4, from Seven Fantasies
Intermezzo in A Major, from Eight piano pieces, Op. 76
Performances by same musician(s)
String Quartet No. 13 in A Minor, D. 804, “Rosamunde,” Op. 29
Piano Quartet No. 2 in A Major, Op. 26
String Quartet Op. 131
String Quartet in g minor, Op. 10
Variations on a Theme of Corelli
Violin sonata in C Major, K. 303
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