Reviews: Ludwig van Beethoven: Violin Sonatas
Charles Shere, Chicago Tribune Calendar (July 5, 1987)
The MHS Review 399 VOL. 12, NO.3 • 1988
Sonatas for Piano and Violin in: A Major, Op. 47 ("Kreutzer"); G Major, Op. 30, No. 3. Ralph Holmes, Violin; Richard Burnett, Fortepiano. DDD; TT= 56:36
The instrumentation here is superb: a late Stradivarius and an 1820 Conrad Graf fortepiano in excellent and nearly original condition. Unfortunately, they perform best in the slight but engaging G major Sonata. The longer, more problematic but glorious "Kreutzer" catches Holmes out of form: his focus softens, particularly in the long second-movement variations, and the performance sags dangerously. Otherwise this is an absorbing recording, well worth an occasional playing as alternative to better interpretations, usually heard on modern, inappropriate instruments.
Sonatas for Piano and Violin in: A Major, Op. 47 ("Kreutzer"); G Major, Op. 30, No. 3. Ralph Holmes, Violin; Richard Burnett, Fortepiano. DDD; TT= 56:36
The instrumentation here is superb: a late Stradivarius and an 1820 Conrad Graf fortepiano in excellent and nearly original condition. Unfortunately, they perform best in the slight but engaging G major Sonata. The longer, more problematic but glorious "Kreutzer" catches Holmes out of form: his focus softens, particularly in the long second-movement variations, and the performance sags dangerously. Otherwise this is an absorbing recording, well worth an occasional playing as alternative to better interpretations, usually heard on modern, inappropriate instruments.