This sonatina is described as “atypical” because of the diversity and contrast offered by its three short movements.
The first, fast and extremely rhythmic, is similar to a chase between the clarinet and the piano. A short central passage, softer and more expressive, calms the energy before the chase begins again with more vigor.
The second, much calmer and more expressive, is based on an ostinato carried by the left hand of the piano. The soloist sings, with a certain restraint, in nuances ranging only from pp to mf.
As for the third movement, very brilliant, it is not so far removed from klezmer music with a mode using two augmented seconds.