Lera Auerbach completed Sonata No. 3 in December 2005 in Bremen, Germany.

In her note for the work, Auerbach writes that she does not wish to say what the sonata is “about,” because music is ultimately itself rather than a description of something else. She identifies, however, extra-musical thoughts surrounding death, memory, violence, fear and hope, as well as reflections on time and the conditions of everyday existence.

The work was commissioned by Arizona Friends of Chamber Music, sponsored by the Harry and Lea Gudelsky Foundation in memory of H. Paul Gudelsky. Auerbach also acknowledges Harriet Silverman and Jean-Paul Bierny for helping make the commission possible, and Stefan Milenkovich for performing it.

• Completion December 2005 · Bremen.
• Commission Arizona Friends of Chamber Music.
• Forces Violin and piano.

Boosey & Hawkes describes the work as a four-movement sonata completed while Auerbach was composer-in-residence at the Bremen Music Festival. The programme note connects the work to reflections on death, memory, fear and hope.

The premiere is listed for 5 February in Tucson, Arizona, with Vadim Gluzman, violin, and Lera Auerbach, piano.

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