Sonata for Violin and Piano

Sonata form provides the structural basis for the first movement, marked Allegro. In C major, the first theme features large leaps, while the secondary theme is built on jazzy rhythms within a 5/8 meter. The second movement also has two themes, but each of these forms a primary section and the second features a particularly diabolical sounding diminished fifth. There is no development, and the two sections of the movement act as contrasting entities within an overall key of D major. Marked Recitative, the third movement provides a break from the intensely lyrical music heard thus far and moves the harmonic foundation to G major. Back in D major, the fourth movement takes rondo form as its point of departure. As in the later Piano Concerto (1968), the episodes between appearances of the main theme feature references to the previous movements, a process that halts for a moment in the slow middle section. The movement closes on a strident minor second. Corigliano's mixture of traditional forms (although fashioned to fit his needs) and more recent harmonic and melodic styles in the Violin Sonata augurs much to come in the development of his compositional style. - John Palmer at allmusic.com