Beethoven: The Sonatas for Violin and Piano, Volume 3 - Robert Mann & Stephen Hough

hough mann beethoven III Liner notes

The 18th century saw major developments in the violin, both in performance and craftsmanship; an opening for rich, previously untapped technical and ex­pressive possibilities. Such potential was memorably explored by Mozart in his 34 violin sonatas, a touchstone or yardstick for later composers, notably Beethoven. Yet characteristically, Beethoven's early violin and piano sonatas provoked bewilderment and hostility, their pungency and novelty already far beyond conventional or complacent taste. Thus: It is undeniable that Herr Beethoven goes his own gait but what a bizarre and singular gait it is! Learned, learned and always learned-nothing natural, no song. Yes, to be accurate, there is on­ly a mass of learning here, without good method; obstinacy but for which we feel but little interest; a striving for strange modulations. an objection to customary associations, a heaping up of difficuities till one loses all patience and enjoyment.