  We use the QCD sum rule approach to calculate the splitting between vector
and pseudoscalar mesons containing one light and one heavy quark, and the
kinetic energy of the heavy quark. Our result for the splitting induced by the
chromomagnetic interaction agrees to the experimental data on charm and beauty
mesons. For the matrix element of the kinetic energy operator, we obtain the
value $K=-(0.60\pm 0.10)\, {\rm GeV}^2$.
