Search - Beethoven, Stern, Istomin :: Violin Sonatas 2

Magnificent

David Saemann | 08/19/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Some writers have suggested that Isaac Stern waited too long in his career to record Beethoven's Sonatas. They might point to the recording of Sonata No. 10, where Stern's intonation becomes a bit iffy. No doubt Stern had a lusher sound earlier in his career. But what these performances lack in dash and verve they more than make up for in maturity. In general, Stern's technique is secure, often with beautiful articulation. Tempos are moderate, perhaps even slow at times, but you never feel that they are dragging. Rather, details appear in perfect proportion throughout the performances. Istomin's tone is beautiful throughout. He gives the sense that he is not just the accompanist, but someone who has played these pieces for pleasure with Stern for years. The Spring is an exceptionally fine performance, beautifully paced and effortlessly lyrical. In its way, it is a match for the great Francescatti/Casadesus version. The sound on these digital recordings is just beautiful, full, well balanced, and beautifully detailed, with an excellent dynamic range. No. 7 is an analog recording, and its constriction of dynamics is very noticeable by comparison. Still, it's highly listenable. I have 5 complete sets of the Beethoven Violin Sonatas, and I have derived as much pleasure from Stern/Istomin as from any of the others. Indeed, I think it is more profound than the much heralded Dumay/Pires collaboration, and it doesn't give up much in sound quality to that one, either. As with Stern's second recording of the Beethoven Concerto with Barenboim, Stern had much new to say about this composer in the later stage of his career."