Morris, W. Meredith Violin Makers

There are two really famous Beethoven violin sonatas, the Kreutzer and the Spring. The Kreutzer Sonata inspired the story by Leo Tolstoy, which in turn became the subject of Janácek's First String Quartet, so if you're into comparative studies in the arts, there's a thesis topic for you! The Spring Sonata was featured in Woody Allen's Love and Death, among other places. And perhaps most intriguingly of all, the scherzo of the late sonata, Op. 96, turns up quite clearly in the third movement of Mahler's Second Symphony.

Brahms's three sonatas have been recorded many times, but there is always room for another interpretation as interesting as this one. These two players are consummate masters of their instruments; their approach is highly personal, but thoughtful, genuinely felt, and respectful of the text, with meticulously observed dynamics and carefully shaped phrases. The collaboration is impeccable, though it seems based on an attraction of opposites.

You really have to hear this CD of Brahms Three Violin Sonatas. Krysia Osostowicz's violin playing is wonderful and Susan Tomes piano playing is remarkable, there are times when she makes the piano sound like pizzicato strings, I'm not fooling its amazing. These two musicians are first rate.

Wilhelm Furtwangler left six recordings of Brahms' three concertos. This CD contains two remarkable recordings. Violin Concerto (with Yehudi Menuhin and Orchester der Luzerner Festspiele(Luzern Festival Orchestra)) is very important document. Menuhin plays very confidently unlike later recordings(Especially first movement's cadenza by Kreisler and intro of last movement). And Furtwangler made huge scale in orchestral parts very naturally.