Beethoven Violin Sonatas Nos. 1-3 [Import]

Beethoven (Composer), Gidon Kremer (Performer), Martha Argerich (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Gidon Kremer, Martha Argerich
• Composer: Beethoven
• Audio CD (October 25, 1990)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Polygram Records
• ASIN: B000001G5Y
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #270,085 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Sonata In D Major: 1. Allegro con brio

2. Sonata In D Major: 2. Tema con Variazioni

3. Sonata In D Major: 3. Rondo

4. Sonata In A Major: 1. Allegro vivace

5. Sonata In A Major: 2. Andante piu tosto Allegretto

6. Sonata In A Major: 3. Allegro piacevole

7. Sonata In E-Flat Major: 1. Allegro con spirito

8. Sonate In E-Flat Major: 2. Adagio con molt' espressione

9. Sonate In E-Flat Major: 3. Rondo

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Passes the Blindfold Test, July 27, 2000

By 

Brian Forst (Reston, VA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Beethoven Violin Sonatas Nos. 1-3 (Audio CD)

Itzak Perlman & Vladimir Ashkenazy are virtuosic partners in their extraordinary 1970s version of the Beethoven violin sonatas, while Anne-Sophie Mutter's edgy brilliance is counterbalanced by Lambert Orkis's steady hand in their 1998 reading of these works. However, Gidon Kremer & Martha Argerich manage always to hold their own against these other two masterful sets in informal blindfold tests I've tried with friends, often coming out a whisker ahead. Painstakingly recorded over a 10-year period starting in 1985, Kremer & Argerich collaborate in full command of this exquisite material. These are two of the finest artists of our day playing together at the top of their game, a breathtaking set of performances of these ten monumental violin sonatas. In a reversal of the Mutter and Orkis roles, Kremer's violin is more the anchor to Argerich's exuberant pianism. Best bet: save your acorns and get all three versions.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely wonderful playing of these fabulous sonatas, December 6, 2005

By 

Craig Matteson (Saline, MI) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Beethoven Violin Sonatas Nos. 1-3 (Audio CD)

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!

5.0 out of 5 stars A beautiful recording, November 19, 2011

By 

Sonia Rothschild - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Beethoven Violin Sonatas Nos. 1-3 (Audio CD)

I have several interpretations of these sonatas, and Argerich and Kremer are among the top in my collection. They are both superb soloists, and also great as chamber musicians. I highly recommend this recording. They "sing" as one voice. Superb!