Chloë Hanslip & Danny Driver - Beethoven: Violin Sonatas, Vol. 2 (2018) [Official Digital Download 24/96]

Beethoven’s op.12 set of three violin sonatas had been praised for their technical prowess, but criticised for the abrupt changes in mood, one critic saying (1799) he felt as if he was starting out on a pleasant stroll in the country with a friend, only to end up entangled in bushes and brambles, to return home in a bad mood. Beethoven who was notoriously touchy when it came to such reviews, responded with two sonatas that could not be more extreme in character. The 4th, has been described as a wayward stepchild among his ten violin sonatas is an extraordinary work that would drive our confused critic well and truly further into the brambles! The first movement would usually be found as a finale, and in place of a slow movement is a jokey ‘scherzoso’. The finale has the characteristics of an opening movement. It’s sister work is the famous ‘Spring’ sonata – a work of grace and beauty and one of the most popular of all violin sonatas. The 7th sonata, one of a group of three in the op.30 set is characterised by Beethoven’s stormy and dramatic C minor mood, in stark contrast to its op.30 siblings Chloë Hanslip and Danny Driver have received critical acclaim for their musical partnership both on stage and in the studio. Gramophone described Volume 1 of their Beethoven Sonatas RCD1010 as ‘engaging and accomplished performances…they create a world in which you want to spend time'.

Tracklist:

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770 - 1827)

01. Violin Sonata No.4 in A Minor, Op.23: I. Presto
02. Violin Sonata No.4 in A Minor, Op.23: II. Andante scherzoso-più Allegretto
03. Violin Sonata No.4 in A Minor, Op.23: III. Allegro molto
04. Violin Sonata No.5 in F Major, Op. 24 "Spring": I. Allegro
05. Violin Sonata No.5 in F Major, Op. 24 "Spring": II. Adagio molto espressivo
06. Violin Sonata No.5 in F Major, Op. 24 "Spring": III. Scherzo (Allegro molto)
07. Violin Sonata No.5 in F Major, Op. 24 "Spring": IV. Rondo (Allegro ma non troppo)
08. Violin Sonata No.7 in C Minor, Op. 30/2: I. Allegro con brio
09. Violin Sonata No.7 in C Minor, Op. 30/2: II. Adagio cantabile
10. Violin Sonata No.7 in C Minor, Op. 30/2: III. Scherzo (Allegro)
11. Violin Sonata No.7 in C Minor, Op. 30/2: IV. Finale (Allegro)

Personnel:
Chloë Hanslip (violin)
Danny Driver (piano)