Beethoven: Violin Sonatas Nos. 1-10

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In the 1950s these recordings would have probably given a very up-to-date impression; the playing is extremely clean – there's never a hint of sentimental violin slides or over-use of the sustaining... — Gramophone Classical Music Guide, 2010 More…

Release Date: 22nd May 2000
Catalogue No: 4636052
Label: Deutsche Grammophon
Series: Originals
Length: 3 hours 54 minutes

Beethoven: Violin Sonata No. 1 in D major, Op. 12 No. 1

Work length22:21

$2.55

$3.45

Wolfgang Schneiderhan (violin), Wilhelm Kempff (piano)
Recorded: 1952-09
Recording Venue: Mozart Saal, Konzerthaus, Vienna (Wien)

I. Allegro con brio

Track length9:24

$0.85

$1.15

II. Tema con variazioni - Andante con moto

Track length7:40

$0.85

$1.15

III. Rondo - Allegro

Track length5:17

$0.85

$1.15

Beethoven: Violin Sonata No. 2 in A major, Op. 12 No. 2

Work length17:23

$2.55

$3.45

Wolfgang Schneiderhan (violin), Wilhelm Kempff (piano)
Recorded: 1952-09
Recording Venue: Mozart Saal, Konzerthaus, Vienna (Wien)

I. Allegro vivace

Track length6:27

$0.85

$1.15

II. Andante più tosto allegretto

Track length5:11

$0.85

$1.15

III. Allegro piacevole

Track length5:45

$0.85

$1.15

Beethoven: Violin Sonata No. 3 in E flat major, Op. 12 No. 3

Work length19:42

$2.55

$3.45

Wolfgang Schneiderhan (violin), Wilhelm Kempff (piano)
Recorded: 1952-09
Recording Venue: Mozart Saal, Konzerthaus, Vienna (Wien)

I. Allegro con spirito

Track length8:51

$0.85

$1.15

II. Adagio con molt' espressione

Track length6:34

$0.85

$1.15

III. Rondo - Allegro molto

Track length4:17

$0.85

$1.15

Beethoven: Violin Sonata No. 8 in G major, Op. 30 No. 3

Work length17:51

$2.55

$3.45

Wolfgang Schneiderhan (violin), Wilhelm Kempff (piano)
Recorded: 1952-09-20
Recording Venue: Mozart Saal, Konzerthaus, Vienna (Wien)

I. Allegro assai

Track length6:33

$0.85

$1.15

II. Tempo di minuetto, ma molto moderato e grazioso

Track length7:37

$0.85

$1.15

III. Allegro vivace

Track length3:41

$0.85

$1.15

Beethoven: Violin Sonata No. 4 in A minor, Op. 23

Work length17:16

$2.55

$3.45

Wolfgang Schneiderhan (violin), Wilhelm Kempff (piano)
Recorded: 1952-09
Recording Venue: Mozart Saal, Konzerthaus, Vienna (Wien)

I. Presto

Track length5:35

$0.85

$1.15

II. Andante scherzoso, più allegretto

Track length5:26

$0.85

$1.15

III. Allegro molto

Track length6:15

$0.85

$1.15

Beethoven: Violin Sonata No. 5 in F major, Op. 24 'Spring'

Work length21:45

$3.40

$4.60

Wolfgang Schneiderhan (violin), Wilhelm Kempff (piano)
Recorded: 1952-09
Recording Venue: Mozart Saal, Konzerthaus, Vienna (Wien)

I. Allegro

Track length7:19

$0.85

$1.15

II. Adagio molto espressivo

Track length5:35

$0.85

$1.15

III. Scherzo - Allegro molto

Track length1:27

$0.85

$1.15

IV. Rondo (Allegro ma non troppo)

Track length7:24

$0.85

$1.15

Beethoven: Violin Sonata No. 9 in A major, Op. 47 ‘Kreutzer'

Work length41:53

$2.55

$3.45

Wolfgang Schneiderhan (violin), Wilhelm Kempff (piano)
Recorded: 1952-09
Recording Venue: Mozart Saal, Konzerthaus, Vienna (Wien)

I. Adagio sostenuto - Presto

Track length14:45

$0.85

$1.15

II. Andante con variazioni

Track length17:33

$0.85

$1.15

III. Finale (Presto)

Track length9:35

$0.85

$1.15

Beethoven: Violin Sonata No. 6 in A major, Op. 30 No. 1

Work length24:04

$2.55

$3.45

Wolfgang Schneiderhan (violin), Wilhelm Kempff (piano)
Recorded: 1952-09
Recording Venue: Mozart Saal, Konzerthaus, Vienna (Wien)

I. Allegro

Track length7:42

$0.85

$1.15

II. Adagio

Track length7:33

$0.85

$1.15

III. Allegretto con variazioni

Track length8:49

$0.85

$1.15

Beethoven: Violin Sonata No. 7 in C minor, Op. 30 No. 2

Work length27:17

$3.40

$4.60

Wolfgang Schneiderhan (violin), Wilhelm Kempff (piano)
Recorded: 1952-09
Recording Venue: Mozart Saal, Konzerthaus, Vienna (Wien)

I. Allegro con brio

Track length7:58

$0.85

$1.15

II. Adagio cantabile

Track length9:52

$0.85

$1.15

III. Scherzo - Allegro

Track length3:46

$0.85

$1.15

IV. Finale - Allegro

Track length5:41

$0.85

$1.15

Beethoven: Violin Sonata No. 10 in G major, Op. 96

Work length25:24

$3.40

$4.60

Wolfgang Schneiderhan (violin), Wilhelm Kempff (piano)
Recorded: 1952-09
Recording Venue: Mozart Saal, Konzerthaus, Vienna (Wien)

I. Allegro moderato

Track length7:57

$0.85

$1.15

II. Adagio espressivo

Track length5:53

$0.85

$1.15

III. Scherzo (Allegro)

Track length2:00

$0.85

$1.15

IV. Poco allegretto

Track length9:34

$0.85

$1.15

Reviews
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Reviews

2010

In the 1950s these recordings would have probably given a very up-to-date impression; the playing is extremely clean – there's never a hint of sentimental violin slides or over-use of the sustaining pedal. But nearly half a century later, perhaps we're more conscious of the old-world virtues – Schneiderhan's beautiful legato bowing and gentle vibrato, Kempff's full, unforced tone, and a flexible approach from both artists, with finely graded ritardandos and subtle variations of tempo.
Though not regular sonata partners, Kempff and Schneiderhan have an admirable collective sense of rhythm. They favour moderate, poised speeds, and so tend to miss something of the impulsive quality of early Beethoven. And, in the same way, their dedication to pure, well-balanced, unforced tone means that the grotesque element in such a movement as the finale of Op 30 No 2 is underplayed. It's a delight to hear them find so many ways of interpreting Beethoven's frequent sforzando markings, from sharp accents to the expressive melodic emphasis they give to the theme of the Kreutzer Sonata's variations.
But quite often Kempff downgrades or ignores these accents, smoothing away any angular corners, and this tendency towards blandness occasionally leads to disappointingly inexpressive playing, at the start of the Spring Sonata, for instance, where Schneiderhan's beautifully lyrical opening doesn't elicit a comparable response from the piano.
If there are a few let-downs, however, there are far more moments where the characteristically moderate, unexaggerated approach bears rich dividends. Schneiderhan's beautiful singing tone is a constant delight; witness the intensely vocal style of Op 24's finale and the luminous sound of his high register in the last of the Kreutzer variations. Similarly, Kempff 's continual care for clear textures and his finely balanced chordal playing seem to offer glimpses into the essence of Beethoven's thought. The mono sound is beautifully clear and well balanced.

Beethoven: Violin Sonatas Nos. 1-10

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