Eduard Franck - Violin Sonata No. 2 in A Major. Op. 23

0:00 I. Allegro
7:11 II. Andante con moto
14:18 III. Scherzo
18:38 IV. Allegro espressivo

Eduard Franck (1817-1893) was a German composer.
He was a pupil of Felix Mendelssohn and, like his teacher, was descended from a wealthy German family of bankers (thus, no relation to Cesar Franck)

Although he was highly regarded as both a teacher and performer, he never achieved the public recognition of his better-known contemporaries such as Mendelssohn, Schumann or Liszt. Despite being compared favourably to them, the fact that he failed to publish very many of his compositions until toward the end of his life, in part, explains why he was not better known. Said to be a perfectionist, he continually delayed releasing his works until they were polished to his demanding standards. Schumann, among others, thought quite highly of the few works he did publish during the first part of his life.

Unlike the First Sonata, the Second is in four movements. The opening movement, Allegro, has for its main theme two parts. The first, a very Franckian melody, the second based on a scale passage. The second theme brings drama into the equation. A full statement of the peaceful and lovely folk melody, which is the main theme of the Andante con moto, is given out by the piano in a lengthy introduction before the violin enters. It is in the development that the element of forward motion is introduced. A light-footed, dancing Scherzo comes next. A darker trio section provides fine contrast. The main theme of the finale, Allegro espressivo, is expressive, but relatively calm. It is with the appearance of the second theme that drama and excitement are added.

Shmuel Ashkenasi, violin
James Tocco, piano