Ernest Bloch

Sonata for Violin and Piano

Ernest Bloch's Sonata For Violin And Piano is a challenging but extremely rewarding work. The first movement's tempo marking is Agiatato and the music is in turn turbulent and aggressive, passionate and sorrowful, but theprevailing mood is one of grave disquiet. The sense of unrest continues in the second movement, although it is marked Molto quieto)and is mostly contemplative by nature. The last movement, marked Moderato begins withthe tolling of bells in the piano part. The violin is assertive although less aggressive than it was in the first movement. A tender epilogue follows this and dies away peacefully, bringing the work to its conclusion.