George Enescu’s Third Sonata for Violin and Piano carries a subtitle that seems innocent enough— “dans le caractère populaire roumain.” Roughly translated, it means “in Roumanian folk character.” Maybe you’ve heard Bartòk’s Roumanian Folk Dances and think to yourself, “Oh, I know what that style sounds like.” Not so.

To hear (or perform) this work is to enter a phantasmagoria of mood and color. The piano surges like the hammered cimbalom, a dulcimer-like instrument of the Romani tradition, while the violin whoops, laments, and dances in turn. It is a sonata unlike any other. Pianist David Korevaar and violinist Maria Sampen bring this astonishing and beautiful work to life.

George Enescu (1881-1955)

SONATA NO. 3 IN A MINOR DANS LE CARACTÈRE POPULAIRE ROUMAIN, OP. 25 (1926) FOR VIOLIN AND PIANO

I. Moderato malinconico

II. Andante sostenuto e misterioso

II. Allegro con brio, ma non troppo mosso

Artists: David Korevaar, piano; and Maria Sampen, violin.