6. Brahms Violin Sonatas

Johannes Brahms Violin Sonatas Paolo Tagliamento, violin Mamikon Nakhapetov, piano Violin Sonata No. 1 in G Major, Op. 78 0:00:00 I. Vivace ma non troppo 0:10:49 II. Adagio 0:18:15 III. Allegro molto moderato The Violin Sonata No. 1 in G major, Op. 78, “Regensonate“, for violin and piano was composed by Johannes Brahms during the summers of 1878 and 1879. Each of the three movements of this sonata shares common motivic ideas or thematic materials from the principal motif of Brahms’s two songs “Regenlied“ and “Nachklang“, Op. 59, and this is why this sonata is also called the “Rain Sonata“ (Regensonate). Violin Sonata No. 2 in A Major, Op. 100 0:26:44 I. Allegro amabile 0:35:06 II. Andante tranquillo - Vivace 0:42:03 III. Allegretto grazioso, quasi Andante The Violin Sonata No. 2 in A major, Op. 100 (“Thun“ or “Meistersinger“), by Johannes Brahms was written while spending the summer of 1886 in Thun (Switzerland). The composer found himself so invigorated by the genial atmosphere and surroundings that he said the area was “so full of melodies that one has to be careful not to step on any“. The second Violin Sonata is the shortest and is considered the most lyrical of Brahms’s three violin sonatas. It is also considered the most difficult of the three to bring off successfully, and to exhibit its balance of lyricism and virtuosity. It maintains a radiant, happy mood throughout. Violin Sonata No. 3 in D Minor, Op. 108 0:47:10 I. Allegro 0:54:52 II. Adagio 0:59:03 III. Un poco presto e con sentimento 1:02:00 IV. Presto agitato Johannes Brahms’s Violin Sonata No. 3 in D minor, Op. 108 is the last of his violin sonatas, composed between 1886 and 1888. Unlike the two previous violin sonatas, it is in four movements. The sonata is dedicated to Brahms’ friend and colleague Hans von Bülow and was premiered in Budapest in 1888, with Jenő Hubay on violin and the composer at the piano. (Source: Wikipedia)