Features of the embodiment of the genre of sonata for violin and piano in the works by Gabriel Fauré (on the example of Sonata № 2, in E Minor, op. 108)

Abstract

Background. The article reveals the genre-style, form-building and dramatic features of G. Fauré’s Sonata No. 2, in E Minor, op. 108. It is determined that this work, in contrast to his first sonata in A Major op. 13, written in the early period of the composer’s life and embodying romantic elation and inspiration, belongs to the late period of G. Fauré’s work, which is distinguished by a complex harmonic and polyphonic writing, sophisticated form and dramatic content characteristic of the early 20th century music and the First World War. The purpose of this article is a characteristic of genre-stylistic and compositional-dramaturgical features of G. Fauré’s Sonata for violin and piano № 2, in E Minor, op. 108. Results. The Second Violin Sonata by G. Fauré, in contrast to the First, has a different dramaturgy and is built on the principle of dramatic antithesis. A special place – and this brings its logical patterns closer to Beethoven’s – is given to the sonata allegro of the first movement, the excitement and explosiveness of which contrasts not only with the lyrical Andante of the second one, in A Major, but also with the enlightened and carefree Allegro non troppo of the finale in E Major. The logic of the formation in the first movement is associated with the originality of the passage of musical events and has a spiral structure consisting of five turns. The musical image of the second movement’s theme is interesting, as it is born from the conjugation of several voices, combining the features of rhythmic variability. This gives the theme a special, truly French charm. There are several dynamic build-ups in the second movement throughout Andante, which shows the implementation of the wave dramaturgy principle. Rondo shows the freshness of musical colors and spontaneity of expression. The last refrain of this part is especially interesting from the dramatic, thematic and ensemble points of view. The general culmination of the Sonata takes place in the refrain. It includes the main intonational ideas and serves as a generalization of the key events of the composition. At the highest climax of Rondo the main and secondary themes from the first movement of the Sonata appear. Thus, the idea of concentric circles, which was noted in the sonata allegro, is implemented in the finale of the Rondo. Conclusion. The analysis of the Second Violin Sonata by G. Fauré allows us to speak not only about a special implementation of the form in this work, but, in comparison with the First Sonata, about a great variety of ensemble writing, marked by the polyphonization of texture. The timbre contrast of the violin and piano allows the composer to set off the emerging replicas, arrange them in different sound spaces, which may resemble the organ register. The loss of any “character” by the members of the ensemble is most consistently traced in the sonata allegro. Another regularity can be traced in the reduction of the background, which is supplanted by the thematization of the texture. This is emphasized by the frequent change of role-playing functions of the instruments and the multitude of ensemble details that ensure the mobility of the musical texture and its multidimensionality. In this Sonata G. Fauré shows a special sensitivity to the harmonic component of the musical language. This search for expressive possibilities of harmony subsequently becomes a distinctive feature of the modern French musical language, which affects the sound image of a chamber ensemble, leading to the interpretation of chamberness as a refined variability of sensations.