Beethoven: Violin Sonatas Nos.3 & 9

Following on the critical success of her brilliant recording of Bach s Sonatas and Partitas, this new CD of Beethoven sonatas sees Viktoria Mullova partnered with rising-star fortepianist Kristian Bezuidenhout. For this disc, Mullova plays with her usual grace and fire on gut strings and using on a classical period bow, but is never a slave to musicological correctness. Bezuidenhout demonstrates his staggering virtuosity on the 1822 Walter fortepiano chosen for this recording. Both of these fantastic performers bring out every nuance of Beethoven s sonatas, making the listener forget any controversy over the instruments they play. This recording, the fiftieth release from Onyx, marks the fifth anniversary of this enterprising young label.