The Complete Duo Recordings [13 CD Box Set]

Any discussion of Beethoven's violin sonatas (CDs 1, 4, 9 & 10) must address the fact that the composer did not designate these works as being "for violin and piano". For example, the first published edition of the "Spring" Sonata op. 24 from October 1801 reads "Sonate pour le Piano Forte," in large letters, followed in smaller print by "avec un Violon." Similarly, the title-page of the first edition of the "Kreutzer" Sonata op. 47 from April 1805 reads "Sonata per il Piano-forte ed un Violino obligato." None of this should be taken to mean that the violin writing plays "second fiddle" to the piano part, so to speak, but rather that both instruments carry equal weight within the musical discourse.

Argerich and Kremer understood this from the start of their recorded Beethoven encounters, originally intended as part of a series encompassing all the violin sonatas, the music for cello and piano with Maisky, plus the five piano concerti with Giuseppe Sinopoli and the Philharmonia Orchestra (in the end, Argerich and Sinopoli recorded only the First and Second Concertos). Initially Argerich expressed apprehension about recording Beethoven, lest her readings might sound self-conscious under the microphone's objective, unforgiving scrutiny. Yet, during an interview conducted prior to the cycle's final sessions, both Argerich and Kremer spoke of using the recording process to look for the unexpected. "It was an inspired idea to match (Argerich) against a violinist so unpredictable as she is herself," wrote Edward Greenfield in Gramophone, "for though there is nothing `safe' about these interpretations, and not everyone will respond to their sparkling, volatile qualities, the liveness of the experience is undeniable."