Poulenc’s Violin Sonata was written in 1942 – 3, during the German occupation of France in the Second World War. Poulenc had abandoned previous attempts at a violin sonata, but finished this one at the insistence, and with the help of the great French violin virtuoso Ginette Neveu. The sonata was written in memory of the Spanish poet Federico García Lorca, and the harmony is occasionally reminiscent of Spain. The first and last movements are full of violent energy, and contrast with the lyricism of the second.

Ravel’s single movement sonata for violin and piano dates from 1897 and was probably written for Fauré’s composition class. It is usually known as Sonate Posthume, as it was not published until 1975, 38 years after the composer’s death.

Richart van Zyl – violin
William Hancox – piano