César Franck’s Violin Sonata in A was composed in 1886, and was offered as a wedding present for the violinist Eugène Ysaÿe. The sonata has become one of the most performed violin works in the repertoire,with it still receiving regular performances.
After the wedding premiere the work received its public premiere on 16th December 1886 at the Musée Moderne de Peinture (Museum of Modern Painting) in Brussels.
Alternating between slow and fast tempos, the sonata is in four movements:
- Allegretto ben moderato
- Allegro
- Ben moderato: Recitativo-Fantasia
- Allegretto poco mosso
Here are Martha Argerich and Renaud Capucon to perform this music for you now:
