6.Allegretto

After Nazi forces left Czechoslovakia in the early months of 1945, Martinu was allowed to communicate with family and friends in his homeland for the first time in several years. The news wasn't all good: Though his brother and sister were safe, his mother had died the year before, and one of his best friends, violinist Stanislav Novák, had died a few months after that. Undecided as to whether to remain in the United States, to return to Czechoslovakia, or to seek out other opportunities, Martinu took a brief vacation at a favorite location, South Orleans, on Cape Cod in Massachusetts. It was there that he composed the Flute Sonata in June and July 1945, just after completing his Symphony No. 4.

The short, three-movement Flute Sonata begins with a melodic Allegro moderato marked by the composer's characteristic syncopations. A melancholy, songful Adagio follows, and the work ends with an intricate, lively Allegro poco moderato featuring a theme derived from the song of the whippoorwill, which Martinu had heard throughout the night during his stay in Cape Cod.

© Chris Morrison, Rovi