Kraus, Joseph Martin: Sonata for Fortepiano & Violin in C (VB 162) (AE436)

Kraus, Joseph Martin (1756-1792)

Joseph Martin Kraus was one of the most gifted and unusual composers of the 18th century, whose talent for thematic development, colourful orchestration and theatrical flair caused Haydn to proclaim him one of only two 'geniuses' he knew (Mozart being the other one). Although Kraus's focus as a composer was mainly upon works written for the stage, he had occasion and opportunity to write a variety of works for chamber setting, including this sonata for violin and fortepiano. It is not known for whom this work was written, but the sole surviving source, a set of parts in Uppsala University Library in the hand of Fredrik Silverstolpe, Kraus's first biographer and assiduous collector of his music, dates it to Kraus's grand tour; he notes that it was written in Paris in 1785. This sonata is the most virtuosic and imposing work in this genre that the composer wrote. Of particular interest is the use of a slow introduction with lyrical violin solo, the long Adagio with its alternating solo passages, and the playful final Scherzo which bears a thematic similarity to the now-lost original third movement of Kraus's Violin Concerto (VB 151). Indeed, this complex work merits the rubric "Great C major".

Allan Badley