Beethoven's Sonatas for Violin and Piano

It turns out that I have no less than twelve sets of the complete sonatas for violin & piano by Beethoven. The ten sonatas do not feature among the very greatest of Beethoven's oeuvre, but they are by no means negligible and all deserve a regular hearing. The twelve violinists in my complete sets include Kreisler, Grumiaux, Capuçon, Dumay, Ibragimova, Suk, Barati, and Kavakos. I've never included Heifetz in my collection of the complete sonatas since the works rely mainly 60% on the pianist, and 40% on the violinist, much like most of the violin and piano sonatas of Mozart. Heifetz always preferred accompanists, never equal partners, let alone a dominant partner. Although recordings usually feature star violinists, they rarely feature star pianists. The classic Fritz Kreisler set from 1935 was originally intended to feature Rachmaninov as Kreisler's partner, but apparently EMI chickened out over the expense of two stars, and the highly competent Franz Rupp was engaged instead. That set is still well worth hearing. Arthur Grumiaux in 1956 was fortunate in having Clara Haskil as the pianist, and 64 years later this set is probably still the best all-round recommendation.

To listen to the sonatas again, I took down the recent (2009) set from Renaud Capuçon and Frank Braley. There is a lot to be said for it. Violin and piano are well balanced, and Braley proves to be an excellent partner in the all-important piano part. There is a transparency and delicacy about the playing that makes a welcome change from the often-heard Sturm und Drang. Capuçon and Braley are not really “star” names internationally, but these sonatas do not need stars so much as first-class instrumentalists who love the music and identify with Beethoven's musical language. Capuçon does not try to hog the limelight and gives way to Braley whenever necessary. I don't really need twelve sets. But I do need Kreisler, Grumiaux, Kavakos .... and Capuçon / Braley.