Search - Robert Schumann, Martha Argerich :: Robert Schumann: Violin Sonatas No. 1, Op. 105 & No. 2, Op. 121 - Gidon Kremer & Martha Argerich

Dramatically Exciting And Remarkably Poetic!

Raymond Vacchino | Toronto, ON. Canada | 03/07/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Schumann found no greater solace than music-making with his pianist wife, Clara, and close friends in the seclusion of his home. So it was scarcely surprising that his thoughts should have reverted to chamber-music. The A minor Violin Sonata was written in 1851. Argerich and Kremer open the first movement with formidable rhythmic and melodic intensity. Argerich plays with pianistic thunder and is enthusiastically appreciative of the score's quick-fire-shifts in tempo and texture. This provides Kremer equal opportunity to convey the melody with dramatic tone colouring and a wilful sound which helps intensify the mood throughout. As the second movement begins, this beautifully balanced team convey the warmth and charm with compassionately shaped long phrases and a wonderful element of musical "purity". The third movement is filled with brilliant rhythmic sequences that allow Argerich and Kremer to provide us with an example of their virtuosic brilliance and visceral excitement that was typical of Schumann's best work. The D minor Sonata's first movement is dominated by its disturbed opening theme. Kremer and Argerich exemplify this character with playing that is virtually as exciting though more willful and solidly established. In contrast the Allegretto provides an eloquent testimony to Schumann's life-long "delight in simple things". Kremer and Argerich establish the intimate, winsome charm of the recurrent main theme and never undermined the two episodes. In the last two movements Schumann indicates that he was aiming at greater breadth in this sonata. Kremer and Argerich come to the forefront establishing the strongly contrasted subjects with playing that is compelling and at times infuriating. The inclusion of a Scherzo further enlarges the work's scope, and the playing follows this indication by increasing the definition of its sharply motoric rhythms and extreme dynamic contrasts. Every note is distilled through fertile imagination and increased melodic refinement. The urgent conclusion in D minor is performed with temperament and is remarkable for its intrepid emotional scope, athletic agility as seen in the opening movement, though this time with conflict finally resolved in a triumphant D major! The entire recording offers brilliant and warmly expressed playing with well drilled execution, interpretative detail and tonal warmth.



Author: Raymond Vacchino M.Mus. A.Mus. L.R.S.M. Licentiate (honorary)"