Vaughan Williams, Grieg: Violin Sonatas

Nationality-based evaluations may be worth little, but for whatever reason, this pairing of the with 's , by violinist is unusually effective. The sonata is certainly not unknown, but given its high quality, it is probably underplayed. It is a late work, dating from around the time of the in the 1950s. It is, by ' standards, unusually passionate, departing harmonically into realms far removed from its original A minor. The Scherzo is a remarkable essay in additive rhythms. The work was composed for violinist , who had championed , and the variation finale puts through his paces, accompanied ably through the fireworks by pianist . The is an entirely different animal, even though and inhabit essentially similar late Romantic universes. It is a quiet, lyrical work with lots of pentatonicism, melodically rich in 's characteristic way. effectively shifts gears here, not overplaying the work as sometimes happens. The Saffron Hall sound from Signum Classics does not get in the way of the players, all to the good in this remarkable violin recital. ~ James Manheim