Search - Beethoven, Kremer, Argerich :: Violin Sonatas 1-3

Absolutely wonderful playing of these fabulous sonatas

Craig Matteson | Ann Arbor, MI | 12/06/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Nowadays, it is Bach and even lesser composers of the Baroque that capture so much public attention. However, for most of the nineteenth century and the twentieth through the 1970s, it was Beethoven who was the king and played everywhere all the time. I am glad to notice that he is being played more nowadays and I hope the trend continues. However, I cannot understand why this disk by two great musical geniuses (well three) is out of print. Kremer and Argerich play this music with such life and brilliance that it lifts one's soul and brightens each day you allow the music to enter.



These three sonatas were written when Beethoven was in his late twenties and known for as a brilliant pianist. Even though we call them violin sonatas today, the title page refers to them as piano sonatas with violin. Really, these are duo sonatas. What you cannot expect is a violin soloist with piano accompaniment. The two instruments both explore the musical material and play off each other brilliantly. They are dedicated to Salieri (yes, that Salieri. He was a teacher to Beethoven and later to Schubert). Each has only three movements by dispensing with the expected menuet or scherzo.



Another nice aspect of this music is that it has enough substance to allow geniuses such as Kremer and Argerich to reach into its depths and yet they are friendly enough to performers that talented and dedicated amateurs can also play them with success. I wish we all played music for ourselves more than we do.



In any case, snap up the used copies of this disk you can find and put this treasure in your collection!"