John Blackwood McEwen (1868-1948)

Nationality: Scottish

Born: April 13, 1868, Hawick Died: June 14, 1948, London (age 80)

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Violin Sonata No. 2 in f minor

(for violin and piano)

5:02	I.	Allegretto sostenuto - Tranquillo
3:55	II.	Come una improvisazione - Poco adagio
4:47	III.	Poco allegro - Allegro molto - Tranquillo

Duration: 14 minutes (approximately)

Composed: 1913 (age 44-45)

Published: 1915 (age 46-47)

Dedication: Aldo Antonietti

Related Composers

Dorothy Howell (1898-1982)

Student

Nationality: English

Born: February 25, 1898, Birmingham Died: January 12, 1982, Malvern (age 83)

Priaulx Rainier (1903-1986)

Student

Nationality: South African

Born: February 3, 1903, Howick, Natal Died: October 10, 1986, Besse-en-Chandesse, France (age 83)

glossary

adagio [It]—slow tempo, often implying a lyrical, poignant character
allegretto—moderately quick tempo. slower than allegro but faster than andante
allegro [I]—fast, lively tempo. From the Italian word for cheerful or gay.
chamber music, Kammermusik [G], musique de chambre [F], musica da camera [I], musica cameralis [L]—"Classical Music" for a small ensemble, generally 8 or fewer players with a canonical emphasis on 3-6 players. explore
come [I], comme—like, as
duo, duet, dueto [S], duetto [I], duett [G]—a work for two instruments; the ensemble itself
molto [It]—very much
poco, un poco, poco a poco—a little bit, e.g. "andante un poco moto" is andante with a little more motion than typical. "poco a poco" means a little bit at a time, gradually.
sonata, sonate, suonato—a complicated term. Originally, "sounded" rather than "sung" (sonar vs. cantar), e.g. instrumental music. According to historical period, sonata began to imply a formal plan of movements as well as the structure within a single movement, e.g. sonata form. In general usage as a work title, it designates a multi-movement piece for solo or duo instruments with one of the instruments enjoying a feature role.
sostenuto [I], soutenu [F]—sustained, perhaps a bit slow
tranquillo [It], tranquille [F], tranquillement—tranquil, peaceful, soft
violin sonata—a multi-movement work for violin and keyboard (or continuo) though there are sonatas for solo violin as well as sonatas in a single movement. While the violin would seem to be the featured instrument, many sonatas starting with the classical period find the piano to be an equal partner in the sense of a chamber work for two players.