Sonata

The Sonata was written for violinist Mihaela Martin whom I had known from the 1982 International Violin Competition of Indianapolis. My family had volunteered to be a host family for the event. The young Romanian violinist was assigned to us, yet I remember there being a definite question of whether the Romanian government would permit her to compete. Finally, the week before the competition began, she was granted the opportunity. A delightful person and extraordinary musician, Mihaela triumphed through each successive round of the competition and eventually won first prize. It was an exciting time for all and before she left, I boldly promised that I would write a piece for her.

Thereafter, Mihaela called and said that she and her family had defected from Romania and had found refuge in Germany. This became inspiration for the Sonata. I planned the second movement to represent the drama of their escape and the Adagio to reflect their loss of home, country and many good friends.

Mihaela returned to Indianapolis as a member of the jury for the 1986 competition. After it was over, she and my wife, Deanna, premiered the work in Indiana University's Recital Hall and later recorded it in TRC Studios. It was this recording that Joshua Bell heard while judging the 1987 Carmichael Composer's Competition. He and Charles Webb, pianist and Dean of the Indiana University School of Music, recorded the Sonata in a live broadcast from the university's radio and television studio.