Dennis Caron has written of Chardon and his Sonata; "Yves Chardon was born near Paris. At the age of six he began the study of the cello, and at the age of fifteen he was awarded a first prize at the Conservatoire National de Musique in Paris. After a brilliant solo career in Europe, he accepted the position of professor of violoncello at the Odeon Conservatory in Athens. At Serge Koussevitsky’s invitation, he joined the Boston Symphony Orchestra. In 1943, Mr. Chardon went to the Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra under Dimitri Mitropoulos, as Principal cellist and Associate Conductor.

"In 1950, Mr. Chardon went to Florida where he founded the Orlando Symphony. He played one season with the Baltimore Symphony prior to joining the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra. He played there for over 25 years, including 10 years as principal. (At age 74) he relinquished the position of principal (to) devote more time to composition and writing his Essay on Expression in Music.

"In 1982, Mr. Chardon retired from the Met in order to further pursue his lifelong interest, the playing, composing and teaching of music and its proper expression.

"The opening bars of the Sonata are reminiscent of Stravinsky’s Petrouchka: the composer states that this kind of flourish is most characteristic for the trumpet. Originally, this was a three movement work, but at the first reading of the manuscript, it became obvious to the composer that the trumpet player needed a little more time to rest. Mr. Chardon decided to improvise between movements. These improvisations were recorded and later transcribed and incorporated; thus the sonata evolved into a five-movement work. It is believed this sonata is the first and only work for this unique instrumental combination."