Sunday 9 March 2008

Dvorák: Violin Sonata


Antonin Dvorák: Works for violin and piano - Gil Shaham and Orli Shaham

I've known the Sonatina op. 100 for a long time, and every so often I hear the Romantic pieces op. 75. For some reason however I'd always overlooked the Sonata in F major op. 57. This fabulous composition from 1880 can hold its own next to some of the more famous violin sonatas from the same era (e.g. Brahms, Franck, Fauré).

The performance of all three works on this CD is heartfelt and technically impeccable.

Deutsche Grammophon 449 820-2

Friday 7 March 2008

Rameau: Pièces de Clavecin

Jean-Philippe Rameau: Pièces de Clavecin - Christophe Rousset

"Majestic" is not a strong enough term to describe this music. Rousset's now legendary performance is indispensable for anyone who loves keyboard music from the baroque period.

L’Oiseau-Lyre 425 886-2