Search - Veyron-Lacroix, Grumiaux :: Schubert: Sonatinas & Duo for Violin and Piano

Beautiful and Relaxing Sonatinas

Rebecca*rhapsodyinblue* | CA USA | 05/16/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

""I have come into this world for nothing else but to compose." ~ Franz Schubert ~



I always enjoy listening to Franz Schubert's beautiful compositions most especially two of my favorite pieces of all-time, "Serenade" and "Ave Maria." He was one of my favorite classical composers and one of the few who was adept in playing both piano and violin. His father taught him how to play the violin when he was eight years old. Stefan de Haan wrote on Liner Notes that Schubert's first piano teacher was his older brother, Ignaz, who was amazed when the "young Schubert told him after a few months that he was no longer needed." According to his older brother, Franz Schubert progressed in such a short period of time that he soon "had to recognize in him a master who had surpassed him." Schubert died young, he was only 31 years old. He started composing at age eleven and had written his first symphony at sixteen.



Franz Liszt, another one of my favorite classical composers once said: "Everything he (Schubert) touched turned to song." This is especially true -- although he died young, he was very prolific as evident by the countless symphonies, songs, operas and sonatas he had written. He was very well-known for composing non-stop. He once said: "When I finished one piece I begin another."



The sonatinas here are presented in duo settings for piano and violin by two of the finest classical musicians, violinist Arthur Grumiaux and pianist Robert Veyron-Lacroix. These are some of Schubert's most remarkable compositions that were written during his happier and most productive period in his life. So this is the kind of music that is so pleasing to the ears.



My highlights include the first sonatina, "Sonatina in D, D.384" - of the three movements, I love the "Andante" best. On both "Sonatina in A minor, D.385" and "Sonatina in G minor, D.408" I appreciate the "Allegro Moderato" more than the rest of the movements. I also love the "Andante" and "Allegro Moderato" movements on "Duo in A, D.574."



His brother described these pieces as "easy, very fine sonatas for violin and piano." The combination of violin and piano is such a delight to listen to. I listen to it to unwind and when I'm doing my Pilates workout. "Schubert: Sonatinas and Duo for Violin and Piano" is one classical gem that I wholeheartedly recommend to classical music lovers.

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