Tasmin Little, Martin Roscoe - Beethoven: Complete Sonatas for Piano and Violin (2016) Hi-Res

Of Ludwig van Beethoven's ten sonatas for piano and violin, nine were composed early in his career, between 1797 and 1803, while the final sonata was written in 1812, so most of the cycle reflects his Classical period, with the last two sonatas, the Sonata in A major, Op. 47, "Kreutzer," and the Sonata in G major, Op. 96, bookending his "heroic" phase. To the extent that violinist Tasmin Little and pianist Martin Roscoe are equal partners who give these works a balanced approach, the performances in this 2016 Chandos box set reflect modern practice, rather than period style, where the piano would have been treated as dominant and the violin relegated to a secondary role. The sound is modern, too, with no attempt at original instrumentation, so most listeners will find this three-disc package to be rather conventional, accessible, and uncontroversial. That said, the playing is energetic and powerfully expressive, and both musicians have a clear concept of Beethoven's development, even within the narrow confines of the sonatas' time frame. The early sonatas are played with elegance and warmth, as well as considerable wit, while the more turbulent "Kreutzer" Sonata is delivered with Romantic fire and plenty of excitement, bringing a dramatic conclusion to the set. Chandos' all-digital recording is immaculate, and Little and Roscoe have a close-up presence that fully engages the listener.