"Sonatina for Violin and Piano" is a very early student work, undistinguished but for one thing: the last movement, a quick dance in 11/8 time which poured forth

YOU KNOW WHAT WOULD HAVE BEEN REALLY NICE? If people had actually complied with my endless requests to be informed of performances of this piece. It's probably the most popular piece I have ever written. A tracker on the site tells me that it has been downloaded and heard hundreds of times, though not by whom, AND no one has ever informed me about dates, locations or performers. Maybe I'm famous in Albania - I'd like to know - but no one has said a word. Thus I sadly restrict downloads to the first two pages only. I hate to do this, but if you want the rest, you must send me an email - and promise to inform me of performances!

one day in a blinding fury. My hand shook as I sat in the University library and wrote as fast as I could, fearing horribly that the connection would be broken and I would be left to struggle as usual with my self-doubt. But it remained steady and two hours later I held a perfect jewel in my hands. Is this how Mozart wrote? Knowing that not one note would ever have to be altered? God, I wish that inspiration would come again (it did, actually, just once: see my Rag-sextet for another amusing anecdote).

    I would never let the entire sonatina be performed publicly, so don't ask, but that magical movement can be found here as "Devil's Dance". Click here to see performances. It also exists as the 3rd movement of my Trio #1 for Piano, Violin and Cello. Adventurous violinists will enjoy this piece, I think. It would make a good encore number.