(for Violin Solo)
The 'Sonata for Violin Solo' by David Johnstone is a large-scale work for unaccompanied solo Violin. Originally conceived in the mid-1990s, but substantially improved and expanded in 2007, it is cast in three lengthy movements, and follows a normal fast-slow-fast order. Almost immediately, it becomes apparent that the violin writing is of a modern classical idiom, although it should be comforting to know that traditional musical notation and bar-lines are used at all times. However, the weighty virtuoso writing is seldom comfortable, demanding intense concentration on the part of the performer (in the same manner as do the Sonatas and Partitas of J.S.Bach). In general terms, the journey through the many harmonic zones and the occurrence of regular dissonances (always there for a musical reason and never just for effect), together with the wide playing registers make this a difficult work to memorize. Though playing by heart is not at all important, the benefits of doing so are considerable, with the possibility of better helping to captivate the listener in an outwardly 'brazen' and intense projection of the opening movement, in the moments of special intimate poetry in the 2nd movement, and in the jaunty rhythmic propulsion of the Scherzo finale.
I Allegro, sempre espressivo.
II Fantasia-Declamation.
III Scherzo (Finale).
In essence, this is a work for the solo concert artist, but one which would also present an exciting challenge to the advanced student, as an alternative to other large-scale unaccompanied works of the twentieth century. In performance, the duration of the Sonata for Solo Violin is just under 18 minutes.
More detailed notes that contain an analysis to each individual movement are available (free) from the composer upon request; those interested please enter the Web page at www.johnstone-music.com and click in the 'Contact' section.