Mark Steinberg, Mitsuko Uchida - Mozart: Sonatas for Piano & Violin (2005/2012) [Official Digital Download 24/96]

In perusing CDs of Mozart's sonatas for piano and violin, a lot can be guessed in advance by noticing which performer is featured prominently, and who is relegated to second place. In these sonatas the violin is minimized to an obbligato accompaniment. Legendary pianist Mitsuko Uchida is clearly the dominant partner, and rising violinist Mark Steinberg is only her deferential sidekick. The usual problems of balance between the piano and violin are exacerbated by such a lopsided pairing, and it is inevitable that Uchida's interesting interpretations, refined expression, and impeccable execution will outshine Steinberg's efforts; no matter how desperately he tries to get on an equal footing with her, he must fail. As it happens, his playing eventually becomes an annoyance, little more than a doubling or elaboration of the melodic line, with little independence of thought, expression, attack, or color. Strangely, one wishes to hear Uchida's playing unadorned, without the chattering fiddling going on beside her, but this is just further evidence that this duo is mismatched. The sound quality is decent, except that the highly resonant acoustics emphasize the piano to the violin's further detriment. Review by Blair Sanderson

TRACKLIST

Sonata for Piano and Violin in F, K.377
01. 1. Allegro (3:52)
02. 2. Tema (Andante) con variazioni (10:08)
03. 3. Tempo di menuetto (5:57)

Sonata for Piano and Violin in C, K.303
04. 1. Adagio - Molto allegro (5:15)
05. 2. Tempo di minuetto (4:42)
Sonata for Piano and Violin in E minor, K.304
06. 1. Allegro (9:39)
07. 2. Tempo di minuetto (6:21)

Sonata for Piano and Violin in A, K.526
08. 1. Allegro molto (6:54)
09. 2. Andante (10:53)
10. 3. Presto (6:53)

PERSONNEL
Mitsuko Uchida - piano
Mark Steinberg - violin