Bohuslav Martinů's Sonata for Flute and Piano, H. 306, was composed in 1945 in South Orleans, Cape Cod,[1] during the composer's five years in the USA following his escape from occupied France.
[2] The work was composed for George Laurent who was the principal flute of the Boston Symphony Orchestra from 1918 to 1952.
[3] It was premiered on 18 December 1949 in New York, with Lois Scheafer as soloist.
The inspiration for the theme of the third movement draws from Martinů's experience nursing an injured whippoorwill back to health in Cape Cod.
The bird's song is recalled in the music.