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Sentimental Work: Elena Urioste on Mel Bonis’s Violin Sonata

2024-04-15T08:05:00

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The Violin Sonata by French composer Mel Bonis was a revelation for the US-born violinist, revealing both a new sound world and innovative techniques in music writing

The 1914 Violin Sonata by Mel Bonis (1858–1937) is one of the hidden gems of the violin and piano repertoire. It’s an intoxicating work, full of sumptuous waves of emotion and romance. Audiences seem to respond to it in a visceral way, and it’s written beautifully for the violin: there are some tricky technical odds and ends, but it allows you to soar, fly and whisper with the instrument. It’s a physically as well as emotionally satisfying piece to play – perhaps especially so for me as I’ve learnt it alongside my husband, pianist Tom Poster…

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