Wolfgang Schneiderhan – Beethoven: Complete Violin Sonatas (2005/2020) [Official Digital Download 24bit/192kHz]

When Beethoven published his first violin sonatas, there was much criticism. They are unplayable, full of technical hurdles and impossible to overcome by amateur musicians who in the 19th century still quite naturally bought notes of newly composed music. Decades later, Robert Schumann recorded with a wink: “like a sky sun, the name Beethoven has unfolded, while the reviewer shrinks into a dull nettle in a little attic.”Today, in 2020, the 250th anniversary of the founding of the company. On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Viennese classic, there is no longer any doubt about the extraordinary rank of the violin sonatas. They are regarded as beacons of outstanding chamber music. Trained on Mozart’s model, entertaining, with lyrical sensitivity and with many dance interludes, Beethoven modernized the Genre of the violin sonata by incorporating his personal feelings, his inner struggles and outbursts of temperament into the music.

The ten violin sonatas demand everything from the soloist. The piano ranks on the same level as the violin. Not infrequently, the two instruments find themselves in a kind of struggle and musically depict the harrowing drama in Beethoven’s soul life. But Beethoven’s wit, his sparkling humour and his ironic tendencies are also reflected in the lively dialogues of the instruments.

Prodigy Schneiderhan

Only a few soloists were able to cope with the virtuoso, poetic and emotional demands of Beethoven’s violin sonatas. Even in some of the relevant recordings something is missing. Where virtuoso class and wit prevail, one often misses Emotion, and where emotion and poetry come into focus, the precise reproduction of Beethoven’s refined harmonies is often lost. This is the subtle difference made by the groundbreaking Interpretation of the Austrian star violinist Wolfgang Schneiderhan with the German piano virtuoso Carl Seemann: the Duo succeeded in making a complete recording of the cycle that does justice to the violin sonatas in all their facets. The recording possesses virtuoso class, it is colorful, emotional and sprays with energy and joy of playing. The two soloists ‘ musical enjoyment can be noted at any time, whether they perform works such as the exhilarating “Spring Sonata” (op. 24) or furious works such as the electrifying “Kreutzer Sonata” (op. 47).

Schneiderhan, born in 1915, a true child prodigy who began playing the violin at the age of three and made his first public appearance at the age of five, creates an engaging atmosphere of Viennese nobility with his warm, naturally flowing tone. Seaman, almost five years older than Schneiderhan, from Bremen, gives the cycle with its unyielding accuracy and emphatically sober playing a peculiarly modern touch. The discreet difference between the two musical temperaments creates a never-ending tension, which makes this reference recording a unique listening experience.

Audiophile Reissue

Now the coveted cycle undergoes an audiophile reissue. Thus, the subtle accents that Schneiderhan and Seemann set, emerge in even more distinct form. The remastering of the dazzling recording, which was realized in 1959 under the direction of the legendary pianist and record producer Elsa Schiller in the Brahms Hall of the Vienna Musikverein, took place in the Emil Berliner Studios and produced brilliant results. Schneiderhan’s” silvery shimmering tone ” (Der Spiegel) and Seemann’s crystal-clear style can be heard in an extremely delicate Form. This is especially true for the high-resolution Blu-ray Audio Disc, which will accompany the physical Edition, which will go on sale on May 8, 2020. But the Digital Edition, which is already available, also benefits significantly from audiophile Remastering.

After all, the digitally and physically available Booklet of the Edition offers a wide range of information and a high entertainment value. The brilliant Essay by the great music critic Tully Potter provides deep insights into the Genesis and poetic character of Beethoven’s violin sonatas. The artist photos, including archival material published for the first time, convey a strong impression of the responsible seriousness, personal style and appearance of the two soloists who have earned such invaluable merits for Beethoven’s legacy.

“Seemann, Schneiderhan presenting a masterful Interpretation of Beethoven’s tension-filled and at the same time, graceful sonatas. The touchstone, The ‘Kreutzer ‘ Sonata, succeeds brilliantly with a brilliant, sweeping gesture and Seemann’s bright and cheerful play in the variation movement is particularly impressive. In summary: this is a highly enjoyable recording.”(Hi-Fi Stereo Review)

“Schneiderhan’s recordings are characterized by his outstanding stylistic certainty and his sensitively balanced artistry, especially with Viennese works.”(The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians)

Tracklist:
1. Wolfgang Schneiderhan – 1. Allegro con brio (08:50)
2. Wolfgang Schneiderhan – 2. Tema con variazioni (Andante con moto) (07:10)
3. Wolfgang Schneiderhan – 3. Rondo (Allegro) (05:04)
4. Wolfgang Schneiderhan – 1. Allegro vivace (06:42)
5. Wolfgang Schneiderhan – 2. Andante più tosto allegretto (05:26)
6. Wolfgang Schneiderhan – 3. Allegro piacevole (05:30)
7. Wolfgang Schneiderhan – 1. Allegro con spirito (06:12)
8. Wolfgang Schneiderhan – 2. Adagio con molt’ espressione (06:14)
9. Wolfgang Schneiderhan – 3. Rondo (Allegro molto) (04:18)
10. Wolfgang Schneiderhan – 1. Presto (05:36)
11. Wolfgang Schneiderhan – 2. Andante scherzoso, più allegretto (04:51)
12. Wolfgang Schneiderhan – 3. Allegro molto (05:27)
13. Wolfgang Schneiderhan – 1. Allegro (09:42)
14. Wolfgang Schneiderhan – 2. Adagio molto espressivo (05:12)
15. Wolfgang Schneiderhan – 3. Scherzo (Allegro molto) (01:22)
16. Wolfgang Schneiderhan – 4. Rondo (Allegro ma non troppo) (06:43)
17. Wolfgang Schneiderhan – 1. Allegro (07:12)
18. Wolfgang Schneiderhan – 2. Adagio (07:25)
19. Wolfgang Schneiderhan – 3. Allegretto con variazioni (07:46)
20. Wolfgang Schneiderhan – 1. Allegro con brio (07:43)
21. Wolfgang Schneiderhan – 2. Adagio cantabile (09:34)
22. Wolfgang Schneiderhan – 3. Scherzo (Allegro) (03:30)
23. Wolfgang Schneiderhan – 4. Finale (Allegro) (05:23)
24. Wolfgang Schneiderhan – 1. Allegro assai (04:32)
25. Wolfgang Schneiderhan – 2. Tempo di minuetto, ma molto moderato e grazioso (08:04)
26. Wolfgang Schneiderhan – 3. Allegro vivace (03:39)
27. Carl Seemann – 1. Adagio sostenuto (Presto) (10:42)
28. Carl Seemann – 2. Andante con variazioni (15:33)
29. Carl Seemann – 3. Finale (Presto) (07:03)
30. Wolfgang Schneiderhan – 1. Allegro moderato (09:57)
31. Wolfgang Schneiderhan – 2. Adagio espressivo (05:15)
32. Wolfgang Schneiderhan – 3. Scherzo (Allegro) (02:08)
33. Wolfgang Schneiderhan – 4. Poco allegretto (08:46)