Romantic Sonatas for Violin and Piano

Violinist Sarah Westwick and pianist Stephen Smith present a recital exploring contrasting yet connected visions of the Romantic tradition. Johannes Brahms’s Violin Sonata No 1 in G major, Op 78, known as the “Rain Sonata,” stands as one of the most intimate and unified works in the violin repertoire. Shaped in part by themes from his songs Regenlied and Nachklang, the sonata unfolds as a continuous lyrical narrative of reflection, tenderness, and quiet emotional depth. Dora Pejačević’s Violin Sonata No 2, Op 43, sometimes referred to as the “Slavic Sonata,” was composed in 1917 during the First World War. Written in a late-Romantic style, the work combines expressive intensity, rhythmic vitality, and rich harmonic colour in music of striking immediacy. Together, these sonatas form a compelling dialogue between inward reflection and expansive passion. Brahms offers structural clarity and lyrical restraint, while Pejačević opens a more turbulent and expressive sound world. Heard side by side, they reveal a continuum of Romantic expression that bridges the familiar and the rediscovered. This programme offers listeners the opportunity to hear contrasting works from the violin sonata repertoire side by side, highlighting both familiar and less frequently performed music. The recital draws attention to different musical voices within the Romantic tradition and their place in today’s concert repertoire.