Sonate Sz. 117 [CF:UE037178]

The great violinist Yehudi Menuhin commissioned Bartók for a new work, and Bartók responded with the Sonate. When first Menuhin saw the work, he deemed it unplayable! Upon further inspection, the composition began to make sense, and Menuhin would ultimately hail it as “the most important composition for violin alone since Bach.” Similarly, Dejour - captivated by the Sonate - would have grave doubts about transcribing such a virtuosic masterpiece for violin for his own instrument, the guitar. He, too, came to realize that the Sonate could well transfer to the guitar, with its chord progressions, contrapuntal motion, and more. While still demanding of virtuosity, the Sonate is now available as a masterpiece for guitar.