Friday, 7 November 2008

190. Ludwig van Beethoven - Violin Sonata in A major, op.47, "Kreutzer" (1803)


Title: Violinsonaten Nos. 9 & 10
Performers: Gidon Kremer, Martha Argerich
Year: 1994
Length: 38 minutes


This is probably the most famous violin sonata in existence, Beethoven seems to be a popular guy, the Moonlight Sonata being the most famous piano sonata, Symphonies 5 and 9 fighting it off for number one in popularity and the Kreutzer violin sonata. This is a testament to the sheer quality of the work.

The Kreutzer sonata is a terribly impressive work. Firstly it is quite long, secondly it is a real roller-coaster of emotions, from the frenzy of the first movement to the meditation of the second and the joy of the third.

The interplay between the two parts is so amazing, the sounds that they make so innovative and the whole thing so revolutionary, on par with the Eroica, that its place up there in the fame stakes is well deserved indeed. Amazing.

Final Grade



From Wikipedia:

The sonata was originally dedicated to the violinist George Bridgetower (1779–1860) who performed with Beethoven at the premiere in 1802 at an 8:00 am concert. However, after the performance, while the two were drinking, Bridgetower insulted the morals of a woman who turned out to be Beethoven's friend. Enraged, Beethoven removed the dedication of the piece, dedicating the piece instead to Rodolphe Kreutzer, considered the finest violinist of the day. Ironically, Kreutzer never performed it, and considered it unplayable, even though his name is now attached to it.

Milstein and Pludermacher play the first movment (minus the final repeat):

No comments: