Description

Prokofiev’s opus 94 is often regarded by many violinists as their quintessential violin sonata; however, it was originally composed for flute. Created between 1942 and 1943, the violin version (HN 1624) was only arranged later and premiered in 1944. The arrangement's significant success likely contributed to the original flute sonata not being published during Prokofiev's lifetime. Subsequently, a separate flute part was released only as an addendum to the violin version, leading to the flute sonata being recognized primarily in this hybrid form, which poses challenges due to the substantial differences in piano accompaniment between the two versions. Henle’s source-critical Urtext edition of the flute sonata, based on the autograph held in Moscow and the manuscript of the premiere's flute part, presents the original musical text for flute and piano for the first time, free from the alterations made for the violin arrangement. In the preface, Prokofiev expert Simon Morrison elucidates the complex development of the sonata.