Violin Sonata in E-flat Major, Op. 18

Composed at the end of a longer series of works between summer and autumn 1887, the violin sonata numbers among Strauss' most popular chamber music compositions to this day. In the outer movements, its piano setting and modulations break the intimate mould  of chamber music, alluding to the sensational first symphonic poems written at the same time. Between the first and last movements, both of which are also technically very demanding, the slow middle movement, "Improvisation", offers a respite. A kind of song without words, it was also published as a single movement and enjoyed great popularity in the years around 1900 in household and salon concerts. Ulrich Kramer is responsible for editing this Urtext edition, Arabella Steinbacher kindly provided the markings for the violin part and Michael Korstick those for the piano part.