Miklós Rózsa’s Sonata for Solo Violin op. 40 is one of the composer’s last six works, all written for a single solo instrument. In contrast to film music, where Rózsa scored numerous great epics and monumental films such as Ben-Hur, this represents the maximum reduction. According to the composer’s own statement, however, it was precisely this that marked the return to pure music, the music his heart truly desired.
In the Sonata op. 40, the influence of folk music from Rózsa’s Hungarian homeland is distinctive. At the same time, however, it is virtuoso music tailored to the violin. Both the composer’s experience as a violist and the advice of the dedicatee, violinist Manuel Compinski, may have contributed to this.

“If you are searching for a solo violin work of about 23 minutes in length, that offers technical challenges but could be fun to play, look no further.” (Susan Pierottim AUSTA Stringendo)