The Sonata for Violin and Piano No. 3 is an expansive work in four movements. Its slow second movement, with its sophisticated alternation of consonances and dissonances evokes almost a feeling of weightlessness, is among the most beautiful pieces of music that Martinů ever produced. The virtuosic scherzo, with its toccato trio section, has nothing whatever in common with the "demonic" scherzo of the early Sonata in C major, H 120. The fourth movement, Lento, attains tempo gradually, its beautiful, broadly arching melody immersed in sound colors that are almost impressionistic. One incident that took place while this work was being written is quite symptomatic of Bohuslav Martinů's method of composing and of his intuitive approach to form. Although he had originally contemplated composing just three movements, after completing the second movement he was at a loss as to how to go on. He had to first compose a scherzo before finally being able to find the suitable form and musical material for his final movement.
Aleš Březina, Martinů: Works for Violin and Piano 2, © 1999 Supraphon Music a.s