Violin Sonata in B-flat major, 2nd movement, Andante molto cantabile

This is the second movement of my Violin Sonata in B flat major, commissioned by and dedicated to Arjuna Clark @expert21. It's a slow movement marked "A scene by a stream", as suggested by my dedicatee Arjuna. I chase for simplcity here and I really wanna let the violin sing here, and I think I succeed. I freaking love the opening melody! The use of ARJUNA motive is more sparing as I have to give it away to the beautiful main melody! The melody was inspired when I was having a walk through the beautiful scene of Golden Trumpet Tree! The audio is again made by @Thatguy v2.0!

Here is the pdf and YT video of the movement:

Violin Sonata in B-flat major 2nd mov.pdf

This movement is simple, only in ternary form. Here is the structure of the movement:

0:00 1st Part. The melody is quite beautiful for me, even though it sounds like the main melody in Chopin's Grande Polonaise Brillante, and in the same key, which I realized only after finishing this much later. The piano accompaniment represents the stream. In 1:02 Piano takes turn to play the main melody and violin the countermelody.

1:57 2nd part. I reached my usual contemplative mood in the middle section. Then I was awoken by the hummings of Asian Koel in 2:19. That bird is very common in HK which many people find their hummings disturbing but I actually love.

3:43 3rd Part. First begins a false recapitulation in wrong key G-flat major, then a real recap in tonic key in 4:21, with the main melody gets along with the Asian Koel motive. I personally really love the climax in 5:00!

5:13 Coda. A little coda reminds me the coda of Chopin's Nocturne in E flat major, op.9 no.2.

Here is the 1st movement's post on YC:

P.S. Here is the sound of Asian Koel:

And here are some pictures I have taken that day:

Hope you enjoy and feel free to comment!

Henry

The structure is very clean, and it piece was easy for me to follow with just one listen. This sounds very late classical, early romantic to me, and some of your harmony reminds me of Chopin, esp at around 2:10 (and of course the ending as you state). The motif of the Asian Koel is a nice touch, and merging that call with the main theme was neat. Like always your key changing helps keep the piece moving along, and you always find a way to add in a splash of the pentatonic. I get Beethoven and Chopin vibes throughout, but you clearly use your own voice and direction, especially with the bird motif.

Lovely, simple (or is it?) and beautiful.

I'll edit this with music related comments later (I've heard this 😄), but I just had to say reading your post made me happy. I remember not too long ago how sad and stressed you were, and with starting a new job, I hope you carry this fresher and more positive outlook on life with you. I know you wrote this during a happier time, and it shows.

Love the pictures, love the music!

Hi @Henry Ng Tsz Kiu!

Wonderful and simple use of secondary dominants and classic sequences.  The melodicity of the piece is also more defined and the pastorale nature of it is more solidified with the birdsong allusions.  But it has its Sturm und Drang moments to it as well as the occasional random pauses before the birdsong gets its solo moment which is really a great way to emphasize that aspect of the composition.  You underline the birdsong by exposing it in solo relief - very clever.  Lately every piece I've heard from you has been getting better and better.  And imo this whole sonata is an even more substantial achievement than your sextet!  Great job and thanks for sharing!