César Franck: Violin Sonatas & Edvard Grieg: Violin Sonata, Lyric Pieces – Takako Nishizaki

Franck’s single violin sonata was written in 1886, immediately before his Symphony and the String Quartet. It resembles the larger works of Franck in the thematic connection between its movements and in its highly original use of traditional forms. It was described by Franck’s pupil Vincent d’Indy as “the first and purest model of the cyclic treatment of themes in the form of an instrumental sonata”. The sonata was given to the Belgian violinist Eugène Ysaÿe at the latter’s wedding in September of the year of its composition and was first performed by him in Brussels.

The third of Grieg’s three violin sonatas, in C minor, was completed in 1867, when Grieg was at the height of his fame. The first movement, one of exciting intensity, is followed by a second in G major, introduced by the piano with all that wonderfully coloured harmony that characterizes the composer. The simple folk-melody serves as a frame-work for a more energetic middle section in E minor. The finale offers similar variety and excitement, with its delicate opening theme leading to episodes of contrasting key and mood and to a rapid final climax.

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