The presentiment

The sonata is based on a political occurence of the times. Czech citizens had demonstrated in Bruenn (now Brno) to have the university hold courses in the Czech langugage, The Germans living there feared a loss of influence in the city. Ensuing clashes with police led to the death of a young carpenter, Frantisek Pavlak. This was a severe blow to Janacek's deeply felt patriotism and hence he determined to write a tribute to the man. The sonata had originally three movements. However, he obliterated the concluding 'Funeral march' from the manuscript. Later he threw the entire work into the Moldau river. Nonetheless, the two movements survived.
Classics Today 10/10, highest rating.