Stravinsky's Divertimento (1932) is a redacted version of his ballet Le Baiser de la fée (The Fairy's Kiss), written four years earlier as a tribute to Tchaikovsky.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Stravinsky's neoclassical style in the Divertimento involves using themes from past composers, like Tchaikovsky, and adding his own touch by accentuating rhythms and harmonic dissonance.
Composition History
Poulenc's only sonata for violin and piano was composed in Paris during the German Occupation (1942-43) and dedicated to the memory of poet Federico García Lorca, who was shot by Francoists in 1936.
Composition History
Debussy's Violin Sonata in G minor, composed in 1917, was his last completed work and he premiered it with violinist Gaston Poulet on May 5th of the same year, which was his final public appearance.
Composition History
Prokofiev's Five Melodies, originally composed in 1921 for Ukrainian soprano Nina Koshetz, were arranged for violin and piano four years later with the help of violinist Paul Kochanski.
Compositional Technique
In his Violin Sonata, Poulenc subtly included a quotation from the American jazz standard 'Tea for Two' in each movement, as a protest against the occupying power that had forbidden such music.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Francis Poulenc, a member of the 'Groupe des Six', believed there was room for new music that used existing harmonies, stating he was not a musician who innovated harmonically.
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