The Sonata for violin and piano no.2 is dedicated to Hortense de Sampigny-Bailly. It was composed at a time when Martinů had begun investing what he had learnt from his 1920s experimentation in what he himself termed “definitive” works. This was the year of the String Quartet with Orchestra, H 207, and the Partita for string orchestra, H 212, the first signs of the neo-Baroque orientation that was later to appear in a number of compositions based on the principles of the Baroque concerto grosso. This sonata is a work of elegance, moderation - particularly regarding dynamics - and balanced poise, and none of its three movements exceeds four minutes in duration. Music of clear tonal designation makes its return here after a prolonged absence, and the music is quite free of jazz rhythms. The "toccata" aspect of the preceding works moves somewhat into the background in this sonata to give way to the composer's expansive melodic writing.
Aleš Březina, Martinů: Works for Violin and Piano 2, © 1999 Supraphon Music a.s