Undoubtedly, one of Martinů's most popular pieces internationally is the Sonata for Flute and Piano from the summer of 1945. Martinů's pleasant summer stay on Cape Cod in the state of Massachusetts and his joy at the recent positive conclusion of the Second World War had a clear share in its sunny character. The numerous bi-tonal passages are firmly anchored in the work's clear tonal framework, demonstrating convincingly the qualities of the composer's neo-classical orientation. After a fantasy-like piano introduction, the flute presents the syncopated main theme, creating with its calm lyricism a contrast to the motoric secondary theme. The type of broad cantabile found in the slow movement attests, among other things, to intensive study of Renaissance madrigals - one of the most important sources of inspiration for the "American" Martinů. The third movement is full of echoes of nature and bird song; Martinů and his wife were caring for a wounded whippoorwill at the time and teaching it to fly again. It ends the whole composition in a playful and happy atmosphere. Martinů's Flute Sonata is one of the few truly beautiful compositions written for this instrumental combination in the twentieth century.
Aleš Březina, Bohuslav Martinů: Selected Masterpieces, © 2001 Supraphon Music a.s