Beethoven: Violin Sonata No. 6 & Violin Sonata No. 9 "Kreutzer" James Ehnes & Andrew Armstrong

• Ludwig van Beethoven (1770 - 1827): Sonata No. 9 in A, Op. 47 "Kreutzer":
• 1 I. Adagio sostenuto 13:43
• 2 II. Andante con variazioni 16:07
• 3 III. Finale. Presto 08:30
• Violin Sonata No. 6 in A, Op. 30/1:
• 4 I. Allegro 07:54
• 5 II. Adagio molto espressivo 07:22
• 6 III. Allegretto con variazioni 08:16
• Total Runtime 01:01:52

Info for Beethoven: Violin Sonata No. 6 & Violin Sonata No. 9 "Kreutzer"

The duo of old friends James Ehnes and Andrew Armstrong has established itself as one of the most exciting of our times. Their albums of violin sonatas by Franck & Strauss, and Debussy, Elgar & Respighi have been praised by critics worldwide. For this new album they turn to Beethoven and two A major sonatas with very different moods. The 9th, ‘Kreutzer’ sonata, is a huge work, heroic and turbulent in character – a kind of concerto for violin and piano. It is middle period Beethoven at its most dramatic. By contrast, the 6th sonata is a serene, introspective work of great beauty which has tended to be overlooked by its more outward-looking siblings. The intimacy of this sonata – especially the slow movement - is all the more surprising as the original finale was removed by the composer, to become the finale of the ‘Kreutzer’. Beethoven wrote the gentle variations to conclude the 6th sonata.

"The Kreutzer Sonata is placed first, so we hear James Ehnes and Andrew Armstrong presenting their credentials in turn – Ehnes with effortless accurate double stops, and Armstrong picking up the thread, matching phrasing and mood. The turbulent main section of the movement is absolutely precise in ensemble, and projects a wide gamut of tone and dynamics." (BBC Music Magazine)

"[Kreutzer Sonata] Ehnes and Armstrong are ravishing in the slow movement, truly molto espressivo, while a sense of playfulness is apparent in every bar of the finale, setting the seal on a compelling addition to Ehnes and Armstrong's remarkable discography" (Gramophone Magazine)

"An auspicious Beethoven recital by two outstanding musicians whose consonance and synergy are once again to the fore. While their Kreutzer sonata could perhaps do with a little more cut-and-thrust, these are nonetheless impeccably executed performances. Can more Beethoven now be expected from Ehnes and Armstrong? I look forward with interest" (MusicWeb International)

James Ehnes, violin
Andrew Armstrong, piano

No biography found.

Booklet for Beethoven: Violin Sonata No. 6 & Violin Sonata No. 9 "Kreutzer"