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Unlike the Second Sonata (written three years later on the brink of a World War) this sonata is in four movements. They are allegro moderato; adagio solenne; moderato; finale. This is a splendidly emotional and storm-tossed sonata with a stirring first movement lasting just a mite short of twenty minutes. It is succeeded by an opalescently misty adagio and an alertly capricious, often mysterious and sometimes assertively Brahmsian moderato. The stressful and battering Finale is relieved by passages of hopeful and confidently passionate music as in track 4 at 4.20. This is glorious - like the full glare of sunlight after incarceration.

Dong-Suk Kang’s intakes of breath can be heard unlike Galpérine in the Second Sonata. He is well known for his concerto recordings and Timpani must have been delighted to have such a violinist join them for this project although Galpérine is just as good in the Second Sonata.

Furtwängler counted his two 1930s violin sonatas as cryptic symphonies. The two sonatas are separated by another symphonic work although this time with the word 'symphony' acknowledged in the title - the Symphonic-Concerto of 1936-37.

As far as I know there is no competition for this disc.

This disc was financially supported by the Furtwängler Society.

A very fine large-scale violin sonata in constant song and imaginative soulful turmoil.

Rob Barnett

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