Violin Sonatas (Grieg) - Violin Sonata No. 3 in C Minor, Op. 45

Violin Sonata No. 3 in C Minor, Op. 45

Composition on Grieg's third and final violin sonata began in the autumn of 1886. Whereas the first two sonatas were written in a matter of weeks, this sonata took him several months to complete.

The sonata remains the most popular of the three works, and has established itself in the standard repertoire. The work was also a personal favorite of Grieg's. The sonata premiered with Grieg himself at the piano with well-known violinist Adolf Brodsky in Leipzig. To a certain extent, Grieg built on Norwegian folk melodies and rhythms in this three-movement sonata. However, for Grieg the second sonata was the "Norwegian" sonata whereas he considered the third "the one with the broader horizon".

The first movement is characterized by its bold and heroic opening theme.

The agitated opening theme is contrasted with a more lyrical secondary theme.

The second movement opens with a serene piano solo in E major with a lyrical melodic line. In the middle section, Grieg uses a playful dance tune. The finale is written in sonata form with coda but lacks a development section.

This was the last piece Grieg composed using sonata form.