Description
Schubert's sonatinas for violin and piano are a staple in the repertoire of young violinists. The title "sonatinas" was used in the posthumous print of 1836, though Schubert himself referred to them as "sonatas." The diminutive form was likely chosen because the pieces are relatively easy to play, and marketing considerations may have also played a role. With their lively, Schubertian melodies, these sonatinas are among the most popular works ever written for piano and violin, maintaining their status as "bestsellers" in the Henle catalogue (bearing the early publisher's number 6).
Schubert composed the sonatinas in 1816 at the age of 19. The first edition often differs considerably from the autograph manuscript, though the manuscript has fortunately survived nearly intact, with only the finale of the 2nd sonatina missing. For this movement, the first edition had to be consulted as the source.
