Classical Music | Violin Music

Recorded on 07/12/2017, uploaded on 06/27/2018

Musician's or Publisher's Notes

The Violin Sonata in B-flat Major, K. 378, comes from a set published in 1781. The first movement is of a breadth and melodic suppleness unknown to the violin sonata before Mozart made it his own; the transition passages burst forth with thematic life, the sweet-tasting opening melody and the sprightly, punctuated parallel thirds of the second theme being laced together by upwards of a half dozen unique little motives. The suave rhythmic overlay of the E flat major Andantino (triplets against dotted figures) offers just a hint of the "Elvira Madigan" Piano Concerto, still half a decade in the future. The refrain theme of the rondo finale spins gently downward upon gossamer ornaments. The first episode is in G minor. The second, which appears after a truncated rendition of the refrain, is a wonderful interruption of meter and rhythm: 3/8 is replaced by a 4/4 meter filled with running eighth-note triplets. This new idea is so fun and arresting that a complete break is necessary to remind the players that they must return once more to the refrain theme if they are to finish the movement!                                     Notes by Blair Johnston

Courtesy of International Music Foundation.