Violin Sonatas, Op. 137 (Schubert)

Sonatas#

Since Schubert’s Sonatas Op. 137 are modest in size—rather to be compared to Mozart’s violin sonatas than to Beethoven’s—the “Sonatina” diminutive stuck to them. They are works from the Classical period but Schubert would later transition into the Romantic period through his lieder.

No. 1 in D major, D 384#

Schubert wrote “März 1816” (March 1816) on the autograph score of his Sonata for Violin and Piano in D major (D 384). The sonata has three movements:

No. 2 in A minor, D 385#

Titled “Sonata II” and dated March 1816 in the autograph, the Sonata for Violin and Piano in A minor (D 385) has four movements:

No. 3 in G minor, D 408#

Schubert dated the Sonata for Violin and Piano in G minor (D 408) April 1816 in the autograph, and titled it “Sonata III”. The sonata has four movements:

Reception#

The publication of Schubert’s works for violin and piano had started in 1827 and was completed quarter of a century later.

Publication#

The 19th-century collected edition published Schubert’s compositions for piano and one other instrument in its eighth series in 1886, edited by Ignaz Brüll. The second to fourth pieces in that volume were Schubert’s first three violin sonatas (D 384, 385 and 408), which had already been published in 1836, by Diabelli & Co. as Drei Sonatinen für Piano-Forte und Violine, Op. posth. 137.

Recordings#

• 1978-1979: Schubert: Music for Violin and Piano. Szymon Goldberg (violin) and Radu Lupu (piano). Decca;466 748-2 (2 CD box – also contains the Duo in A major, the Fantasy in C major, and a version of the Arpeggione Sonata).
• 2020: Schubert: 3 Violin Sonatas. Peter Sheppard Skærved (violin) and Julian Perkins (square piano). Athene Records 23208
• 1990: Schubert: Complete Works for Violin and Piano . Jaime Laredo (violin) and Stephanie Brown (piano). Dorian Recordings 90132 L

Sources#

• Series VIII (Supplement), Vol. 4