On this disc we have two of the UK’s finest younger musicians.
Jennifer Pike who won “Young Musician of the Year” in 2002, aged
12, has garnered praise from many sources. Tom Poster has had an equally
successful start to his career. During my time in Oxford I was able to see
him in concert on several occasions playing concertos and was particularly
struck by his brilliant performance of the
Emperor Concerto. I had
high hopes for this disc and was not disappointed.
Brahms’ first violin sonata was composed in Pörtschach am
Wörthersee during the summers of 1878 and 1879. The three movements
share themes from two songs "Regenlied" and "Nachklang". It is sometimes
known as the “Rain Sonata”. The sonata is often described as
having a wistful quality and this is captured from the start. Without being
boring on the subject I always think it’s important for the two
performers to be equal and this is achieved to good effect. The slow
movement is almost painful in its beauty and the colouring of Pike’s
playing is most striking. They play throughout in true chamber music fashion
without undue demonstration but achieve a true partnership. I enjoyed this
very much indeed. Perhaps this is a good time to mention the recording which
typically for Chandos and Potton Hall is first rate. There are many fine
recordings of this work and some listeners may prefer a disc of all
Brahms’ sonatas but this may safely be placed in the top rank.
Schumann, like the younger Brahms, wrote three violin sonatas, and very
fine they are too, although they are not as well known as they deserve. They
have suffered due to the doubts of the first performer Joachim who discarded
the Violin Concerto of 1853. Schumann also was unhappy with the result "I
did not like the first Sonata for Violin and Piano; so I wrote a second one,
which I hope has turned out better". The sonata begins in passionate manner
and the players are very good at conveying this. The
Allegretto
second movement has a sombre beginning before moving into what the very
useful notes describe as an “elfin dance”. Pike and Poster play
this contrasting movement admirably although there seemed to be more sounds
of breathing than ideal. The third movement has something in common with
Mendelssohn while the players are perfectly in accord in the somewhat
frantic finale. As an aside, when published in 1851, Hofmeister described it
as a sonata for piano and violin.
Clara Schumann’s
Drei Romanzen are charming pieces and
illustrate that she deserves to be remembered as a composer in her own
right. Written again for Joachim they achieved considerable success. The
King of Hanover was ecstatic and could ‘hardly wait’ to enjoy
such ‘marvellous, heavenly pleasure again’; they are also often
played on the oboe. They are certainly very pleasant especially here
although I wouldn’t go as far as the king.
This entire recital is a splendid success. I could comment about the
timing but it’s quality I’m looking for not a full CD. These two
seem perfectly in tune and it is to be hoped that there is much more to
come.
David R Dunsmore
