I have played violin since age 7. And my father was an excellent violinist, much more skilled than I ever was. As such, violin music was quite prominent in oir home when I was a child. Later, I studied in Vienna and in Manhattan, but to my mind, my Dad was always a finer musician…
The Sonatas for Piano and Violin were often heard at my parents’ home. Also those by Brahms and Beethoven.
On this recording you can hear the Beethoven 4th, number 5, and number 6. He composed a total of 10.
The 4th, has been described as a wayward stepchild among his ten violin sonatas is an extraordinary work. 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 as ‘engaging and accomplished performances…they create a world in which you want to spend time’.
Here is Chloë Hanslip, performing the amazing slow movement from the Spring Sonata:
