""The Great Sonatas for Piano and Violin", with Arthur Grumiaux, violin, and Walter Klien, piano, come as a set of four CDs. Be on a lookout when this set becomes available again! I am definitely keeping my set, since it is my all time favorite!
Arthur Grumiaux's crisp, biting sound implies a masterly bowing technique. His rich, lush solos, with lots of vibrato, will win your heart over. Walter Klien plays with perfect clarity and elegance. He produces sparkling, rolling sound, which gives an exquisite effect. It is a perfect fit between these two great music masters, and a perfect union between the two instruments, in which you will like each instrument for its true character.
These sonatas are real gems. If you notice from the title, these are sonatas for piano, with the violin as an accompaniment. Violin and piano actually alternate in their solos, which are extremely attractive for both instruments, and so are the accompanying parts. These sonatas were advertised in Mozart's time as friendly for the amateurs. This is certainly true for the violin part. The fact that there is not much virtuosity in many of these sonatas does not detract from their beauty. I am always amazed when I listen to them, since they are yet another testimony of Mozart's creativity. He does not need to borrow from himself; he just creates, and creates and creates new music each time. Each sonata is beautiful in its own way, but my favorite is Sonata in A, K 305. I have played this sonata with three of my piano accompanist friends (we are amateurs), and we liked it the best.
Arthur Grumiaux (1921-1986) was a famous Belgian violinist. He played the "Rose" Guarneri del Gesu of 1744. Walter Klien (1928-1991) was a famous Austrian pianist, yet another laureate of the Busoni Competition. In these Mozart sonatas their musicianship shines. It is just great to listen to such beauty and perfection.
I dedicate this review to my past and present piano accompanists, the veterans of Sonata in A, K 305: Will Wells, Mary Kay Schleiter, and John Longeway.
Track Listings (17) - Disc #1