Beethoven: Violin Sonatas 5 & 9 [European Import] (1999)

Recorded for the Beethoven bicentenary in 1970, violinist Yehudi Menuhin and pianist Wilhelm Kempff's recordings of the composer's complete violin sonatas are excerpted here to couple the two best-known: the "Spring" and "Kreutzer" sonatas. Before the fact, the partnership seemed unlikely to succeed, Menuhin being warm-toned, romantically lyrical, and rhythmically impulsive and Kempff dry-toned, classically polished, and rhythmically reserved. And although acknowledged on release as a wonderful addition to an already ... Read More

Recorded for the Beethoven bicentenary in 1970, violinist Yehudi Menuhin and pianist Wilhelm Kempff's recordings of the composer's complete violin sonatas are excerpted here to couple the two best-known: the "Spring" and "Kreutzer" sonatas. Before the fact, the partnership seemed unlikely to succeed, Menuhin being warm-toned, romantically lyrical, and rhythmically impulsive and Kempff dry-toned, classically polished, and rhythmically reserved. And although acknowledged on release as a wonderful addition to an already distinguished discography for these core repertoire works, it was also admitted that Menuhin and Kempff's performances succeeded in spite of the performers -- and succeeded brilliantly. Neither player changed his fundamental nature: Menuhin's tone is as ineffably sweet in the "Spring's" Adagio molto espressivo as Kempff's is decisively dry; Kempff's tempos are as ineluctably propulsive in the "Kreutzer's" closing Presto as Menuhin's are inevitably impetuous. Yet the performances do... Read Less

• All

• All Copies (0)
• Choose Release (1)

Currently there are no copies available. However, our inventory changes frequently. Please check back soon or try Book Fetch.

1989, Deutsche Grammophon UPC: 028942725126 CD See All