Violin Sonata No. 2 (Ravel)

clean shaven white man of late middle age, neatly dressed
Ravel, 1925

Maurice Ravel's Violin and Piano Sonata No. 2 for violin and piano was composed from 1923 to 1927; it was inspired by forms of American music such as jazz and blues.[1]

This work was the only violin and piano sonata published during Ravel's lifetime; the existence of the Violin Sonata No. 1 (Ravel) only came to be known long after Ravel's death. For that reason this sonata was, and still often is called Ravel's "Violin and Piano Sonata" without numbering.

Inspiration

When the composer was living in Montfort-l'Amaury, France, he accompanied Hélène Jourdan-Morhange, and they shared a love for jazz. The classic blues band of W. C. Handy exhibited the style of St. Louis blues in Paris from 1923 to 1927. Ravel was inspired by the style of music and dance,[2] and jazz elements can also be found in the Piano Concerto for the Left Hand and other works.

Movements

The violin and piano sonata consists of three movements:

  1. Allegretto (G major)
  2. Blues. Moderato (A♭ major)
  3. Perpetuum mobile. Allegro (G major)

References

Notes

  1. ^ Kelly 2001, p. 868
  2. ^ Stuckenschmidt 1968, p. 192

Sources

  • Kelly, Barbara L. (2001). "Ravel, (Joseph) Maurice". Grove Music Online (8th ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.52145. ISBN 978-1-56159-263-0.
  • Stuckenschmidt, H. H. (1968). Maurice Ravel: Variation on His Life and Work. Philadelphia: Chilton Book Company.

Further reading