Description
Schumann's second violin sonata, composed in October/November 1851, came just weeks after his first work for this instrumental pairing (HN 428). Marked by a highly virtuosic style, especially in the finale, this later sonata is distinguished by the tight thematic interweaving of its individual movements.
According to Schumann's future biographer, Wilhelm Joseph von Wasielewski, the composer confided to him "smiling in his kind-hearted manner" that "I did not like the first violin sonata; so I then wrote a second one, which is hopefully better." This suggests Schumann was conscious of a stark contrast in expressive content between the two works. Whereas the earlier three-movement sonata maintains an overall melancholy and somber tone, the later "Great Sonata" with four movements overflows with vibrant energy, culminating in a rousing finale in D major.
