Beethoven Explored, Vol. 4

Album review

Vol. 4 of the Beethoven Explored series again finds violinist Peter Sheppard Skaerved and pianist Aaron Shorr delving into the piano/violin literature of Beethoven and some of his significant contemporaries. What exactly is explored? For starters, the liner notes provide an exemplary overview of the compositional and political lay of the land surrounding the premiere of these two featured works -- the sonatas Opp. 23 & 24 -- going much further into depth than most any other set of notes. The album also features the C minor Sonata of Ferdinand Ries, one of Beethoven's more talented students who also studied with one of Beethoven's teachers: Albrechtsberger. As is often the case, good playing is supported by good academics, and both Shorr and Skaerved are well supported, indeed. Most noticeably, the balance between the two instruments is as it should be in all of Beethoven's "accompanied sonatas"; that is, with the piano in the forefront and the violin playing an active albeit accompanimental role. Both musicians deliver technically consistent performances, although Skaerved's intonation occasionally slips. Musically, this set is crisp, intense, and sans any hint of inappropriate Romantic notions. The interaction between violin and piano is completely organic, and the two deftly pass motives back and forth with seamless ease. Sure to please both aficionados and novice listeners alike, this album (and the rest of the set) proves that there is still more to be learned from Beethoven.
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