Bax's Third Sonata, while more concentrated than his First, unmistakably features an Irish and autobiographical thread, with lyrical elements in the first movement and folk-dance rhythms in the second.
Composition History
Bax's First Violin Sonata was inspired by his passion for a Ukrainian girl, Natalia Skarginska, who appeared in his Hampstead circle in 1909.
Composer Biography
Arnold Bax and his brother Clifford were wealthy, allowing Arnold to travel, develop his music, and pursue love affairs after leaving the Royal Academy of Music.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Bax's mature musical style was significantly influenced by the country, legends, and people of the west of Ireland, particularly the remote Donegal coastal village of Glencolumcille.
Performer Biography
Ashley Wass, the pianist on this album, was the first British pianist to win the top prize at the World Piano Competition in 1997.
Composition History
Although Arnold Bax only published three violin sonatas, he actually wrote five, with the earliest being a one-movement piece from 1901 and the last recast as his 1931 Nonet.
Performer Biography
Laurence Jackson, the violinist on this album, was appointed leader of the Maggini Quartet in 1994, a group renowned for championing British repertoire.
