Leshnoff: Violin Sonata

Score and Parts. Violin and piano. In memory of my dear Father, Stephen D. Leshnoff; written for and lovingly dedicated to Gil Shaham and Robert Spano.

Lyrical and emotive, this violin sonata was written in memory of Leshnoff's father and was premiered by Gil Shaham and Robert Spano at Aspen in 2023. The initial slow movement starts in dark colors. The next, contrasting, fast movement is rhythmic and grows into in intensity until a cathartic cadenza. The final movement represents Leshnoff's father's soul at peace and is set with slow, growing lines and rich harmony, ending peacefully. This sonata is the basis for Leshnoff's Violin Concerto No 3.