Martinu, B :: Sonate

Bohuslav Martinu presents the Sonate (Sonata) for flute, violin, and piano in a clean Barenreiter edition.

The Flute-Violin-Piano Trio aspires to the neo-classical grace and elegance of Poulenc, but it's thwarted at nearly every turn by the disjointed rhythms, spiky dissonances, and shrill textures. The score dates from the year before the Nazi invasion of Czechoslovakia, but Martinu obviously sensed trouble looming on the horizon. I is a terse, restless sonata-allegro. The violin bravely tries to introduce a lyrical second subject, but she's quickly shouted down by the hyperactive piano. II is marked adagio, though the tempo is closer to andante here. The opening is sweet, tender, and gently flowing. The flute and violin engage in a poignant dialog that builds to a tremendous outpouring of grief at 2:50. III is a joyously chattering scherzo that's interrupted by an unexpectedly serene central section. Its gently arching, orientally-tinged flute theme is the most tender and magical moment in an otherwise manic score. The piano cadenza that begins the finale betrays the unmistakable influence of Prokofieff and Ravel combined with some bluesy harmonies and jazzy syncopations. The centerpiece of this movement is a soaring melody for the flute that leads to a touching dialog with the violin ala Janaaek. The reflective mood is shattered at 3:35 by yet another assault from the piano, which introduces a reprise of the motoric music that opened the movement.

- Tom Godeli, classical.net 1997