Luukas Hiltunen

Sonata Lyrical

In 2022, the composer Luukas Hiltunen was commissioned to write a sonata for viola and piano. The first movement, Andante, begins with a simple theme performed by the viola alone, which is reminiscent of a folk song with its 5/4 time. It is characterized by a restrained and mostly quiet, melancholic sound texture in which viola and piano interact sensitively with each other. The atmosphere is filled with anticipation and mystery. The second movement, Vivo, could be called a scherzo, as it contains a trio section in the midst of playful passages and ends with a short codetta summarizing the musical material. The third and final movement, Moderato, is the longest and also forms the basis for the sonata's subtitle: "Lyrical". Approximately halfway through the movement, the viola presents a drawn-out passage against the backdrop of the piano's quiet, motionless accompaniment, giving the impression of a prayer in the midst of darkness. The human character of the viola sound, as well as the narrative nature of the whole, give the movement an operatic feel. At the end, the circle closes when the simple opening theme of the sonata is softly heard in a major variation. Whether this is the end or a new beginning remains open.