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Beethoven Violin Sonatas---favorites and recs

I am looking for some recommendations. My current set of the sonatas (Argerich/Kremer) is really very good from a performance point of view but suffers from the typical mediocre DG sound. I love the recordings in my car, but in the house they are pretty week and thin. It requires an effort. I’ve also ordered the Mutter set, but again, its DG. My favorite violinists are James Ehnes and Hillary Hahn, but they have not recorded these works, so I need some help here.
I’d like your favorite recordings of the works (individual sonatas or complete sets) regardless of vintage and also some recommendations of recent recordings featuring good performances with excellent sound. Thanks.
brownsfan
brownsfan OP
1,508 posts
 
Jhold, the Melnikov/Faust arrived today. Just finished a decent sampling including the Kreutzer. Your description is dead on. I do think I am going to like this cycle very much based on what I have heard so far---would that Faust brought a bit more sweetness than steel at times. Perhaps she is aptly named.
I am still searching for some of the other intriguing recommendations in this thread. I must say, I would love to see these works on ECM. Andreas, your Beethoven Cello sonatas were pretty fine! Are you listening, my friend?
sbrown
148 posts
 
I've always been fond of the Perlman / Ashkenazy cycle on Decca-London
goofyfoot
1,342 posts
 
Have you heard the Augustin Dumay/Maria Joao Pires set?
brownsfan OP
1,508 posts
 
Goofyfoot, No, I have not. Is that a recommendation or a request for information?
goofyfoot
1,342 posts
 
I have that set and it's as fine as any I know but it's also a DG recording.
Also, the no longer active Andante label released a box set of wonderfully remastered historical performances of strictly the 'Spring' and 'Keutzer' sonatas. This set includes Kreisler, Milstein, Szigeti, Goldberg, Kulenkampf and Busch. Its a shame that the Andante label is now finito but their out of print collections can be found on ArkivMusic.com for a significant discount.
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