Today’s Video of the Day is a performance of the second movement from Ethel Smyth’s Sonata No.2 in C sharp minor by Hanni Liang. Smyth’s Sonata No.2 in C sharp minor has an autobiographical element that Smyth herself described in her memoirs. Smyth admitted that she fell frequently and deeply in love with women throughout her life. She wrote the Sonata after encountering operetta star Marie Geistinger. 

The slow movement (performed here) is particularly unusual, floating between keys in a way that turns the principal melody into something almost completely singable and yet oddly out of reach, wandering away in a new direction just when its path seems clear.

Liang’s new album ‘Voices’ is formed around Liang’s interest in Ethel Smyth’s music and life. Hattie Butterworth speaks to Liang about her new album at length in Gramophone’s podcast, linked below.