Beethoven: Violin Sonatas Nos 2, 4 & 9 Kreutzer

Description

In volume one of their complete recording of Beethoven's violin sonatas, Weithaas and Várjon have chosen not to follow chronological order, but to seek out thrilling contrast and fascinating variety instead - thus making Beethoven's rapid evolution as a composer all the more astounding. Volume 1, featuring Op. 12/2, Op. 23, and Op. 47, revolves around the tonal center of A major / A minor.

All movements in these three sonatas are "in A", except for the middle movement in the Kreutzer Sonata, which is in F major. All three works follow tradition in terms of general structure: they are in three movements, with rapid outer movements in sonata or rondo form surrounding a slower middle movement that tends to be melodious.

For Beethoven, however, such a link with tradition could only serve as a springboard for innovation.

We can thus clearly trace the astounding transformation of Beethoven's style between the 2nd and the second-to-last violin sonata, particularly since both are in A major. The two other volumes of this complete recording of Beethoven's violin sonatas are foreseen for release within the next 12 months.

BBC Music Magazine Chamber Choice June 2023

"Humour, wit, playfulness – they all explode into life in the artful hands of Antje Weithaas and Denes Varjon. […] crucially, these are very much shared performances. We are not listening to a star violinist with piano accompaniment but two minds discussing, sometimes arguing ferociously over the same issues. Their attention to detail is the kind that really grips the ear, right from the opening of Op. 12 No. 2" – BBC Music Magazine (Performance 5 STARS, Recording 5 STARS)

"the adventurous spirit Weithaas and Várjon convey here makes me eager to hear future instalments." – Gramophone

"Certainly Weithaas and Várjon need fear no competition. In technical terms they cannot be faulted. Weithaas' tone in particular has an appealing mixture of warmth and purity, her vibrato is well controlled, and her intonation – to my ears at least – is faultless. […] Weithaas and Várjon have a great deal to say and are not afraid to say it, but their focus of interest is always and emphatically Beethoven" – MusicWeb International