Track Focus: Connor D’Netto’s “actually untitled [sonata no. 2 for solo violin]”

Connor D’Netto, Flora’s long-term collaborator and a co-conspirator of the Dots+Loops concert series, wrote a captivating piece for solo violin which features on Geburtstag. We chatted with Flora about the “gradually unfolding world of sound” that is Connor’s “actually untitled [sonata no. 2 for solo violin]”.

Connor D’Netto, an award-winning Australian composer of innovative contemporary classical music, had this to say about the piece:

It’s always kinda strange writing for solo violin. It’s the instrument I used to play (well, in high school, it's been a little neglected these past few years). I guess it’s because I know it. I’d worked out what I like about it, over the many pieces I’ve written with violin in them, I know the way my violin writing sounds, works, my tendencies, my bag of tricks. When writing a solo violin piece, they’re all exposed, a beautiful opportunity to refine my tendencies and ticks, or a beautiful challenge to push myself out of the box I build. I’m not sure which of those this piece is.

Regarding the title, actually untitled is the title. That’s it. I’ve forever had “untitled” as the placeholder on my scores while I’m writing until I come up with an actual title – I’d even send draft scores to people still just saying “untitled”. This piece stayed untitled. But that's now the title. So yeah, that's it.

- Connor D’Netto

You can hear more about Connor’s creative work and upcoming projects on his website.

“actually untitled [sonata no. 2 for solo violin]” is available on Flora Wong’s debut EP, Geburtstag. You can buy it on bandcamp or stream it on Spotify, Apple Music, and the rest.