This work, in my opinion, is truly brilliant and I think that after J.S. Bach’s Sonatas and Partitas, it is the most interesting and most beautiful piece ever written for this instrument.

 

 

It is curious to note that the names of the movements make allusion to Bach, Tempo di Ciaconna, Fuga and also to see the violin effects that are used, double fifths, pizzicatos on two strings at the same time, the use and removal of the mute while the left hand continues with pizzicatos... But what is most important is the extraordinary music within this score. The harmonies of the first movement and the sounds it extracts from the violin, the clarity of each voice in the Fuga, aside from the construction of this movement; the deep heartbreaking emotion of the third movement, the melody, the joyfulness and brilliance of the Finale.
It is true that it a terribly difficult pice to perform. I always remember the words of a great friend and magnificent violinist who said that he did not play this work because he didn’t know how he should make it sound.

And as always, it’s inevitable when I speak about Bartok, I am reminded of my Maestro, André Gertler, since he did indeed know how to play this Sonata and transmitted to all his pupils how to work on it to obtain the full advantage of this score.