Ravel: Violin Sonata No.2

Introduction

Maurice Ravel's sonata for violin and piano is a sonata composed from 1923 to 1927. Ravel was inspired by the music of America, namely jazz and blues.

When the composer was living in Montfort-l'Amaury, France, he accompanied Helen Jourdan-Morhange and they shared a love for jazz. The classic blues band of W.C. Handy exhibited the style of St. Louis blues in Paris from 1923 to 1927. Ravel was inspired by the style of music and dance, and jazz elements can also be found in the Piano Concerto for the Left Hand and other works.

Movements

The violin sonata consists of three movements:

• Allegretto (G major)
• Blues. Moderato (A-flat major)
• Perpetuum mobile. Allegro (G major)