Grieg: Sonata No. 3 in c minor, Op.45 Janacek: Sonata for violin and piano Saint-Saëns: Sonata No. 1 in d minor, Op.75

Linda Wang, violin  Sebastien Koch, piano

MGS Production 8 07207 01162 0  (DDD 61:57)

This is an eminently enjoyable disc by two young artists who are as adventurous in their choice of repertoire as they are daring in their interpretation.  The Saint-Saëns is a charming piece, here given more weight than it’s worth.  The allegro molto carries great emotional power and the scherzo (allegretto moderato) offers a genuine dialog.  The Janacek sonata juxtaposes savage force with folksy exuberance, and receives a memorable account here notably in the final Adagio.  If the Grieg sonata lacks a certain ‘animato’ excitement in the final Allegro (as compared to the electrifying performance by Kreisler and Rachmaninov, recorded in 1928), the slow movement makes up for it with silky violin tone and expressive pianism that offer plenty of Nordic lights and shadows.  This outstandingly vivid recording gives fine presence and balance to the solo instruments.

Reviewed July 6, 2002 by Truman C. Wang

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