In his later years, Steven Stucky revisited traditional forms, including a symphony, opera, piano sonata, and the dramatically ravishing Sonata for Violin and Piano. Stucky describes the first and third movements as the main bulk of the sonata. The first movement alternates calm and lyrical sections with busy music that is sometimes forceful, sometimes playful. The third (Scherzo-Finale) begins skittish and fragmentary before embarking on a fiery allegro (con fuoco) and a slower, wistful melody.