Prokofiev Violin Sonata No. 2 in D Major, Op. 94a (Mintz, Bronfman)

Originally conceived as the Sonata for flute and piano (1943), this work immediately became more popular in its violin version. Even today it is still more commonly encountered in concert and on recordings than its sibling, not least because violinists outnumber flutists. Cast in four movements, this sonata transcription betrays little of its grim wartime origins, mixing Prokofiev's lyrical warmth with his playful mischief.
The first movement is marked Moderato and opens with a lovely melody on violin that seems to float lazily amid the clouds. The music springs to life in a jovial bridge passage leading to the alternate theme, also a lyrical, bright melody, but one that seems to hopscotch about. Both themes are repeated then developed, though in their working out they divulge relatively little transformation, but do show a more energetic sense. A reprise and lovely coda close out the movement.
The ensuing Scherzo, marked Presto, features the typical Prokofievian drive and mischief, the piano often seeming to propel the violin along. There are two themes in the outer sections, the first busy and impish, the second carefree and a bit less breathless. The brief trio is calmer and quite lovely in its subdued lyricism.
The Andante third movement features, in the outer sections, a lovely soaring theme on violin, which is just as beautiful when taken up by the piano. But it is the exotic middle section that seduces the ear: the violin's somewhat jazzy lilting theme receives a beguiling, almost Gershwinian response from the piano's upper register, forging a truly memorable melodic creation.
The finale, marked Allegro con brio, opens with a chipper melody whose festive character seems to turn to chuckles with the appearance of a bouncy second theme. An angular third melody soon appears, and there follows some imaginative development of the material and a reprise. The coda is ecstatic in its joy and wild abandon.
0:00 - Moderato
8:04 - Presto
12:51 - Andante
16:49 - Allegro con brio

[@citizent6999]

I love the charming passage at 5:34 leading into the recapitulation.

[@XavierMacX]

One of the only sonatas NOT for piano that (as a pianist) makes me jealous of the other instruments that get to play it (the solo portion, luckily I can still contribute!). Romantically contemporary and full of ethereal beauty, originality, virtuosity. Typical Prokofiev.

[@renni9813]

you should give prokofievs first sonata a listen (the violin part)

[@__414.88b_]

Just start playin the violin man, i did it for the same reason LOL that's the only way

[@_alexcr]

so beautiful!

[@icycloud6823]

My favorite movement is the first one (Moderato). It has an uplifting feeling for me and sounds like a spark of life or even genius of sorts.

[@Whaijorhujishkomunyk]

indeed

[@proustfan2187]

the andante is so embarrassingly great

[@lylecohen1638]

4:11 4:37

[@user-zg5ki6jl3l]

12:33, 11:09, 12:20

[@user-dx4yx2ty5m]

1:53 3:46 4:45

[@alexkim4636]

😗

[@miriliritralirali6404]

Written for Flute, originally.

[@1stringendo]

Wrong it was written for oistrach!

[@miriliritralirali6404]

@@1stringendo Prokofiev's Violin Sonata No. 2 in D Major, Op. 94a (sometimes written as Op. 94bis), was based on the composer's own Flute Sonata in D, Op. 94, written in 1942 but *arranged for violin* in 1943 when Prokofiev was living in Perm in the Ural Mountains, a remote shelter for Soviet artists during the Second World War. Prokofiev transformed the work into a violin sonata at the prompting of his close friend, the violinist David Oistrakh. It was premiered on 17 June 1944 by David Oistrakh and Lev Oborin.

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

@@prokprok12 A Version for Violoncello da Spalla (playing the Violin Part sounding 8vb) would be Killer.

[@user-zg5ki6jl3l]

1:53

[@aidanf8632]

I can barely hear the violin in this recording

[@Dan_669]

Weird. I hear it just fine

[@steveegallo3384]

@@Dan_669 -- Me too.....all the way down here in Acapulco!

[@uncreativenessatitsfinest4968]

Its literally louder than the piano. Turn up your volume cause you definitely cant hear the piano if you cant hear the violin