BEETHOVEN:
Sonatas for Violin and Piano
CD-1143(4)
Listening
to these father/daughter collaborations once again brings the age-old
nature-vs.-nurture debate to the fore. The degree of unity achieved in
these performances, both technical and affective, is astonishing _ a far
cry from a routine run-through by a pair of high-powered virtuosi after
a cursory rehearsal. This is musical synergy _ hard to explain, impossible
to quantify and totally satisfying.
In 2000, a Miami Herald review described the father-daughter
team as "perfect partners" who play with "infectious spirit"
and drama. And the Frank duo garnered this praise from the New York
Times for a recent concert: ''The most striking aspect of the recital
was the sheer musicality of these two players. They both knew what to
do with Beethoven's dialect and their unanimity of purpose made for the
lively interplay that is chamber music at its best.''
American Record Guide wrote when these recordings first appeared:
"Their performances are completely convincing _ solid, robust, well-balanced
interpretations, with exemplary rapport in phrasing and dynamics and an
expert blend of the dramatic and lyrical elements."
Another reviewer raved: "Both this humble set and the high-profile
set by Anne-Sophie Mutter were released in 1999. This one is surprisingly
better-father and daughter run through these works with a blistering energy,
and yet are sensitive to every nuance; playing marvelously off each other,
they still sound completely spontaneous. The 'Kreutzer' sonata is a revelation,
and its energy blows away Mutter's more refined reading". (Allen
B. Ruch, Editor The Modern Word; complete review at http://www.greatquail.com/raves_1999.html)
CD-1143(4) BEETHOVEN: The 10 Sonatas for Violin and Piano. Pamela Frank, Violin; Claude Frank, Piano. A reissue of the acclaimed 1999 Music Masters set, produced 1992-1995 by Max Wilcox, with additional notes by Tully Potter. 4 CDs, Total time: 3 hrs. 56 min. [DDD] UPC # 017685-11432-8.