The Violin Sonata in A minor, Op. 105 by Robert Schumann consists of three movements:
I. Mit leidenschaftlichem Ausdruck;
(With passionate expression)
II. Allegretto; (Fast)
III. Lebhaft
(Lively)
The violin sonata no. 1 was written during the week of 12 – 16 September, 1851. It was given its official premiere by Clara Schumann, piano, and Ferdinand David, violin, in March 1852.
The first movement begins passionately, with the theme first played by the violin. This theme serves to introduce a compact, driven sonata form movement with an economical use of rhythms. New themes often are based on some of the same rhythms as older ones, and overlap with them as well. Intensity is added by treatment of themes in canon. The coda of the first movement is in two parts – quietly sustained at first, then gaining intensity and leading to a section in which the violin has running sixteenth notes over the piano’s chordal accompaniment.
The second movement serves as an intermezzo at a brisk pace somewhere between a slow movement and a scherzo, in the form of a rondo.
In the finale, sixteenth-note motion dominates the exposition, present in all but a few bars. A group of themes enters about halfway through the exposition. The development introduces additional new themes mostly based on the exposition’s material and treats them, again, canonically before gradually introducing a songful episode. This is only a brief moment before the scurrying sixteenth-notes return.
A transitional passage leads to the recapitulation of the main theme and a lively conclusion.
Here is Mr. Kavakos to perform this Romantic music by Schumann:
