I must confess myself rather disappointed by
this disc, and particularly by the weak performance of the opening
work, Elgar’s violin sonata. The problem here is that Hofmann
appears to have little affinity with Elgar’s music. The lack
of understanding of the sonata is such that it comes across
as if he were merely sight-reading the score fairly well – he
certainly doesn’t seem to have thought about it, comprehended
it, or glimpsed any of the underlying emotions or ideas. This
is particularly apparent in the slow movement - a movement that
should be utterly heartrending, yet here comes across as prosaic
and pedestrian, lacking in feeling and understanding, and without
any sympathy. Moments that should be overwhelmingly haunting
and desperately beautiful seem to be just tossed aside. No poetry,
no beauty – I’m afraid that Hofmann just does not appear to
“get” this work. Although in places his playing is quite dramatic,
it is as if he were supplanting Elgar’s emotions with his own
histrionics, presumably because he is unable to comprehend what
Elgar is doing. To make this sorry state even worse, Hofmann’s
tone is too harsh and brash for this gorgeous music. His intonation
is occasionally wobbly, and even his tuning is a bit suspect
at times, creating a rather fumbling effect. The piano-violin
balance also doesn’t seem quite right, and in any case Newcombe
takes too much of a secondary role – he is too restrained for
this passionate music.
The next work on the disc, Delius’s violin sonata
no. 3, is quite an improvement on the Elgar. The playing here
is very distant and detached, but this is not inappropriate
for Delius – the remote air rather suits this music, and the
performance comes across as wistful and restrained. However,
there is not enough freedom and flexibility - particularly in
the opening movement – it is too plodding, and doesn’t lilt
enough! The performers also come across as rather stretched
in the third movement.
The final work on the disc – the John Ireland
Second Sonata - is, thankfully, the best of all. Newcombe takes
more of a pro-active role. Hofmann seems to get into the piece
much better. The overall work is fairly good.
There are many exquisite versions of all of these
works out there and, although the Delius isn’t too bad and the
Ireland is quite good, I deeply regret to say that I wouldn’t
want anyone getting the wrong impression of the Elgar by listening
to this disc.
Em Marshall
Buckhard Hofmann (violin);
Alan Newcombe (piano) 
