About the album
Beethoven: The Violin Sonatas
"A 4-CD set of beautifully presented recordings of the complete Beethoven violin sonatas, performed to the very highest standards by violinist Bella Hristova and pianist Michael Houstoun." – Rattle Records
Produced by Kenneth Young
Engineered by Steve Garden with assistance from John Kim
Recorded in the APO rehearsal rooms, Auckland, in September 2017
Piano tuning by Glenn Easley
Artwrok “Scoper” by Kim Van Someren (University of Washington), used with the kind permission of the artist
Design by UnkleFranc
Printing by Studio Q
1. Violin Sonata No. 1 in D, Op. 12 No. 1 I. Allegro con brio
2. Violin Sonata No. 1 in D, Op. 12 No. 1: II. Tema con variazioni (Andante con moto)
3. Violin Sonata No. 1 in D, Op. 12 No. 1: III. Rondo (Allegro)
4. Violin Sonata No. 2 in A, Op. 12 No. 2: I. Allegro vivace
5. Violin Sonata No. 2 in A, Op. 12 No. 2: II. Andante, più tosto allegretto
6. Violin Sonata No. 2 in A, Op. 12 No. 2: III. Allegro piacevole
7. Violin Sonata No. 3 in E-Flat, Op. 12 No. 3: I. Allegro con spirito
8. Violin Sonata No. 3 in E-Flat, Op. 12 No. 3: II. Adagio con molt’espressione
9. Violin Sonata No. 3 in E-Flat, Op. 12 No. 3: III. Rondo (Allegro molto)
10. Violin Sonata No. 4 in A Minor, Op. 23: I. Presto
11. Violin Sonata No. 4 in A Minor, Op. 23: II. Andante scherzoso, più allegretto
12. Violin Sonata No. 4 in A Minor, Op. 23: III. Allegro molto
13. Violin Sonata No. 5 in F, Op. 24 ‘Spring’: I. Allegro
14. Violin Sonata No. 5 in F, Op. 24 ‘Spring’: II. Adagio molto espressivo
15. Violin Sonata No. 5 in F, Op. 24 ‘Spring’: III. Scherzo (Allegro molto)
16. Violin Sonata No. 5 in F, Op. 24 ‘Spring’: IV. Rondo (Allegro ma non troppo)
17. Violin Sonata No. 6 in A, Op. 30 No. 1: I. Allegro
18. Violin Sonata No. 6 in A, Op. 30 No. 1: II. Adagio molto espressivo
19. Violin Sonata No. 6 in A, Op. 30 No. 1: III. Allegretto con variazioni
20. Violin Sonata No. 7 in C Minor, Op. 30 No. 2: I. Allegro con brio
21. Violin Sonata No. 7 in C Minor, Op. 30 No. 2: II. Adagio cantabile
22. Violin Sonata No. 7 in C Minor, Op. 30 No. 2: III. Scherzo (Allegro)
23. Violin Sonata No. 7 in C Minor, Op. 30 No. 2: IV. Finale (Allegro)
24. Violin Sonata No. 8 in G, Op. 30 No. 3: I. Allegro assai
25. Violin Sonata No. 8 in G, Op. 30 No. 3: II. Tempo di menuetto
26. Violin Sonata No. 8 in G, Op. 30 No. 3: III. Allegro vivace
27. Violin Sonata No. 9 in A, Op. 47 ‘Kreutzer’: I. Adagio sostenuto (Presto)
28. Violin Sonata No. 9 in A, Op. 47 ‘Kreutzer’: II. Andante con variazioni
29. Violin Sonata No. 9 in A, Op. 47 ‘Kreutzer’: III. Finale (Presto)
30. Violin Sonata No. 10 in G, Op. 96: I. Allegro moderato
31. Violin Sonata No. 10 in G, Op. 96: II. Adagio espressivo
32. Violin Sonata No. 10 in G, Op. 96: III. Scherzo (Allegro)
33. Violin Sonata No. 10 in G, Op. 96: IV. Poco allegretto
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Houstoun established a magical rapport with Bulgarian violinist Hristova during a New Zealand tour, part of her prize as winner of the 2007 Michael Hill International Violin Competition. Recording these sonatas a decade later, the passion, tenderness and sparkling brilliance of their playing and sensitive ensemble work reveal a shared conception of Beethoven’s music.
With fire and bounce in the fast sections, a seductive dancing spirit in the variations and an ending of sparkling zest, Hristova and Houstoun demonstrate again the special rapport that makes this significant release a huge listening pleasure.
