Sonata for Solo Violin

András Szőllősy (1921-2007) was one of the most significant Hungarian composers of the second half of the 20th century, yet his oeuvre has not become as well-known as that of György Ligeti, two years his junior, or of György Kurtág, five years his junior. Szőllősy did not compose many works and he was strict about which of them he would allow to go public. As a younger colleague of his once remarked: "He only composed his good works."

Szőllősy's Sonata for Solo Violin, which was written at the age of 26 and was publicly performed only in 2006, almost 60 years after its composition, fell victim to his self-criticism. Although the model of Bartók's Sonata for Solo Violin of just three years earlier was obviously on the young composer's mind, he was no epigone of the great master.

From the aspect of both composition and instrumental technique, the 11-minute Sonata for Solo Violin represents exacting and prominent music, and is a remarkable piece among works written for the violin in 20th-century Hungarian music. The score of the posthumously published work was edited by the soloist of its world premiere, Michael Barta.