The Sonata for Two Violins had been given its world premiere in the Soviet Union, where Prokofiev retained contacts alongside his successes in the US and in Western Europe. This performance took place in Moscow on 27 November 1932, and was given by two members of the Beethoven Quartet, Dmitry Tsyganov and Vladimir Shirinsky.

This neoclassical work draws upon Baroque precedents, including the four-movement structure of the Baroque ‘church sonata’, and the use of two-part counterpoint.

In 1941 Prokofiev explained the origins of the Sonata: ‘Listening to bad music sometimes inspires good ideas... After once hearing an unsuccessful piece for two violins without piano accompaniment, it struck me that in spite of the apparent limitations of such a duet one could make it interesting enough to listen to for ten or fifteen minutes…’