…I have 5 complete sets of the Beethoven Violin Sonatas, and I have derived as much pleasure from Stern/Istomin as from any of the others. Indeed, I think it is more profound than the much heralded Dumay/Pires collaboration, and it doesn't give up much in sound quality to that one, either. As with Stern's second recording of the Beethoven Concerto with Barenboim, Stern had much new to say about this composer in the later stage of his career.