The violin sonatas of Aaron Copland and Walter Piston: A historical and analytical overview and performer's guide

Abstract

While Aaron Copland and Walter Piston had different backgrounds, both studied with Nadia Boulanger in France, and were influenced by the neoclassicism of Igor Stravinsky. Their different perspectives and styles are reflected in the two composers’ violin sonatas. In Piston’s Violin Sonata (1939), it is hard to find an overtly “American” quality, as the work sounds more international and has neoclassical features. Copland’s Violin Sonata (1943), in contrast, has both distinctly American and neoclassical features. The sonata was composed in his “American” period, but is often considered closer to his earlier “abstract” period associated with neoclassicism. This project provides an analytical and historical overview of the sonatas, including their styles, influences, and backgrounds, and includes a guide for performers as well .