Customer Reviews

Beethoven: Violin Sonatas Nos. 4 & 5

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

These two sonatas come from 1800 - 01 when Beethoven was thirty years old. They were originally both supposed to be part of his Opus 23, but because of the engraving differences between the two they each received their own opus number and were issued separately. Opus 24 has also picked up its own nickname (not from Beethoven) and is known to us as his Spring sonata. It is a good nickname, but it doesn't matter because that is what everyone everywhere calls it.

I really enjoy both sonatas, but it is Opus 24 that is the people's choice because it contains some of the most lyrical melodies that Beethoven ever wrote. One of Beethoven's many gifts was the ability to work hard and craft music that sounds completely spontaneous and instantly memorable (with or without lyrical qualities).

As with all the violin sonatas, it is important to note that the two instruments share the musical material equally. It is not music for solo violin with piano accompaniment. These two performers of great genius, Guidon Kremer on the violin and Martha Agerich on the piano, bring this music to life with strength, grace, vitality, and joy. Brilliant!

This is music that performers can enjoy playing from talented amateurs to performers of transcendent genius (as we have in this recording).

Snap this disk up and enjoy!

If the supreme and golden recording of Szigeti and Horskowski had not been recorded, maybe this colossal performance would have shared the coveted first place version ever made.

The score literally had to been illuminated that memorable recording session in which this inspired musical couple played. Passion, expression and Dionysian rapture are some of the best epithets to qualify this superb document.

Me and my very active two year old child sat through the whole Spring Sonata (programmed in a local classical radio station) in total silence, both delighted with Kremer's virtuoso interpretation. I was not amazed to hear that it was him (I didn't know at the beginning) since I already own several Piazzola CD's also magnificently interpreted by Kremer. My son said at the end: Mummy, beautiful music. I will buy this CD very soon.