Composer: Charles Edward Ives (20 October 1874 - 19 May 1954)
Work Title: Violin Sonata No.2
Performers: Curt Thompson (violin), Rodney Waters (piano)
0:00 - I. Autumn: Adagio maestoso-Allegro moderato
5:24 - II. In the Barn: Presto-Allegro moderato
9:57 - III. The Revival: Largo-Allegretto
While the nostalgic references in Ives's first sonata for violin and piano remains, for the most part, unnamed, the composer applied telling titles to the three movements of his second violin sonata.
The first movement, "Autumn" (0:00), gets its title from Bathélémon's hymn of the same name. This hymn makes frequent appearances during the movement, as the disparate violin and carry on a lively dialogue before finally reconciling themselves.
In the second movement, titled "The Barn" (5:24), the violin becomes fiddle, sawing through a variety of stock hoe-down figures, and even making a snide hint at "Turkey in the Straw," before suddenly and comically switching character to sound out the "Battle Cry of Freedom."
The final movement, "Revival" (9:57), originally appeared as a fourth movement to the fourth sonata for violin and piano. It begins slowly and thoughtfully, perhaps reflecting a more introspective spirituality. As it gains momentum and intensity, that inner devotion becomes outward praise, with strains of "Come Thou Font of Every Blessing" ringing out above the din of an excited and evangelized crowd. As the din of the faithful dies out, faint strains of the hymn remain, turning thoughts inward once again.
Source: www.allmusic.com/composition/...
Source videos:
1st movement - • Charles Ives - Violin ...
2nd movement - • Charles Ives - Violin ...
3rd movement - • Charles Ives - Violin ...