Amy Beach - Violin Sonata, Op. 34: 1. Allegro moderato

Amy Beach (1867—1944) Violin Sonata, Op. 34 (1896)
Performers: Ambache Ensemble; Gabrielle Lester, violin; Diana Ambache, piano

Album: Amy Beach - Violin Sonata, Quartet for Strings in One Movement, Pastorale for Woodwind Quintet, Dreaming (Chandos CHAN 10162, 2003)

Liner notes:

The year of Brahms’s death, 1897, was also the year in which Beach’s Sonata for Violin and Piano in A minor, Op. 34 received its premiere. The pianist was Beach herself, the violinist Franz Kneisel, concertmaster of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and leader of the most distinguished string quartet in the United States. Composed a year earlier, the sonata is a four-movement work in Beach’s most passionate style, displaying a lyrical gift and a love for rich chromatic harmony. Yet Beach writes with great economy, exploring the developmental possibilities of a few motivic ideas; the technique is one she may have learned from the music of Brahms.

In the first movement, in sonata form, the piano introduces the sombre and mysterious first theme, which the violin then joins in developing by successive variations. The second theme is a transformation of the first, with further variations making up the development section. The second movement is a virtual perpetuum mobile, with violin and piano in close imitation; a scintillating Scherzo, it is in duple rather than the usual triple metre, with a trio that suggests Ravel. The brooding slow movement, Largo con dolore, has a long-breathed theme supported by rich harmonies. The bravura introduction of the finale, Allegro con fuoco and another movement in sonata form, contains material that will provide the frame and continuity of the movement. A restless and driving first theme is soon transformed into a lyrical second theme, while the development comes to a climax with a three-voiced fugue.

Following the premiere, there were several repeat performances by Beach and Kneisel, and after the sonata was issued in 1899 by Beach’s principal publisher, Arthur P. Schmidt of Boston, the work was taken up by many other performers.

[mukilnarayanan]

Utterly speechless to describe the beauty of this underrated piece by one of the greatest composers to ever live! I sometimes feel that if one wants to truly experience classical music, they should listen to this. I am in tears right now and this made my day! Thank you Amy Beach for breaking my heart with your music!!!!

[LAVISHLYLAVISH]

just found these yesterday and the 2nd one is my fav!
UNDERRATED
love it!

[estherandherlittleworld]

I can't believe I just found about these composers this year.That's crazy! I love it.

[Reuben_]

That’s really nice. Such an under-appreciated gem of a composer.

[ellee]

I'm going to make it my goal to play this piece before I graduate college. It's so beautiful, but incredibly challenging.

[Comet]

Wow, this is so beautiful. Thank you so much for the inclusion of your Liner notes. It is nice to read this ahead of time as a guide.

[robhaskins]

This video is a real gift. Thanks for taking the time to prepare it!

[profpf]

Bravo! I loved playing this on the cello.