Author : Dietrich Buxtehude, Robert Schumann, Johannes Brahms
Description
The F. A. E. Sonata represents a remarkable collaborative effort characterized by its distinctive title and concept. In late October 1853, Robert Schumann, Albert Dietrich, and Johannes Brahms surprised their friend, violinist Joseph Joachim, during his visit to Düsseldorf for concerts. The title's three letters correspond to Joachim's life motto, "Frei, aber einsam," meaning "free, but lonely," and the notes f-a-e, derived from this motto, subtly permeate the sonata. Dietrich crafted the first movement, while the youthful Brahms contributed the dynamic Scherzo (WoO 2). The romantic and lush second and fourth movements are unmistakably Schumann's, who later incorporated them into his own third Violin Sonata in A minor. The F. A. E. Sonata remained unpublished throughout the lives of its composers and dedicatee, with its first publication occurring in 1935. The current Henle edition by Michael Struck, part of the "Violin Sonatas" volume in the New Brahms Complete Edition, offers significant insights into challenging passages within the musical text as well as the work's origins and reception history.
