Octo_Russ

Beethoven - Violin Sonata 5 [Zukerman/ Barenboim]

Last month i spoke about Beethoven's Violin Sonata 9 [10th August 2010], and much of what i wrote there applies here, again i feel the booklet cover is a gem, a tight head shot of Zukerman in his bearded days, plus a good red / blue theme.

Beethoven's Violin Sonata 5 isn't as good as his truly sublime Sonata 9, but it has a youthfulness about it, a direct simplicity about it, i enjoyed the slow second movement, it starts off with a gentle rocking rhythm from Barenboim on the piano mid bass [0:00+], and it's the piano that takes up the main tune at first with the violin offering accompaniment [0:05-0:47], and then they switch sides with the violin playing the tune [0:47-1:27], this is lovely playing, the tune is gorgeous, this very set up returns a little later [2:31-4:43], the piano taking the lead at first with the violin taking lead later [3:19+], this time they both create variations on the opening tune, the music becomes more serious, especially the violin has some of the very best music in its section, there's a gravitas and a yearning here [3:19-4:43], it's a joy to listen to Zukerman interpret Beethoven, nearer the end the piano has some somewhat more forte notes [4:44+], which the violin also repeats in echo [5:05+], very coda-esque, much should be made of the gentle rocking rhythm on the piano throughout the movement, the whole thing is gentle with a hint of a turbulent underbody, very satisfying.

Here's Gidon Kremer and Martha Argerich playing the second movement Adagio on YouTube.