Rebecca Clarke Sonata for Viola & Piano

Premiered in 1919, the Sonata for Viola and Piano by the British/American composer, Rebecca Clarke, is one of the towering pieces in the viola repertoire. This is a performance by one of the viola legends of our time, Nobuko Imai, who at the time of the recital was just a month shy of her 80th birthday. She was joined in this performance by pianist Albert Tiu, at the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory Concert Hall in Singapore.

Clarke was inspired by "La nuit de Mai" (May Night) by Alfred de Musset. She used this quote on the first page of the sonata:

Poete, prends ton luth; le vin de la jeunesse
Fermente cette nuit dans les veines de Dieu.

Poet, take up your lute; the wine of youth
Ferments tonight in the veins of God.

I. Impetuoso 0:00
II. Vivace 8:14
III. Adagio 12:23