Conceived in a single movement like its predecessor, the second sonata is more complex than the first, despite sharing the same epic hero inspiration. Bax's notation "in G", without specifying major or minor mode, indicates a sense of ambivalence as to mood, a quality that pervades the whole piece. The 'arch' form which will be a characteristic of the symphonies is readily visible in this sonata, centered on the expressive Lento which quickly moves to an ethereal Epilogue, echoing themes from the Symphonic Variations.

There is a Russian quality about some of the writing, which also shows the transition from Lisztian harmonies towards the more modern sounds which will come to their full expression in the cycle of symphonies.

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