Sonata in A for violin and pianoforte
1 Allegretto ben moderato. 2 Allegro. 3 Recitativo-Fantasia. 4 Allegro poco mosso played by Henry Hoist (violin) and Frank Merrick (pianoforte)
Cesar Franck 's Violin Sonata in A was written specially for that great violinist Ysaye and the hardly less distinguished pianist, Mme. Bordes-Pene. It is one of Franck's most perfect works, particularly with regard to construction and purity of style. Melodically the whole work grows out of the little figure (D-F sharp-D), which is heard at the beginning of the work.
The first movement is full of poetry, the second is an impassioned allegro, and the third an exquisite soliloquy. The fourth consists of a clever and effective piece of writing in canon based on themes from previous movements, after which comes a development section based on all the principal themes of the work, and finally a brilliant conclusion.