The launch of Somm Recordings' inspirational Beethoven Plus series sees violinist Krysia Osostowicz and pianist Daniel Tong commissioning 10 leading contemporary composers to write 'companion' pieces for - and inspired by - Beethoven's seminal set of 10 Violin Sonatas. The result is a fascinating conversation between past and present in which Beethoven's mastery of the form receives illuminating - and often surprising - commentary from entirely modern perspectives. Volume 1 focuses on Beethoven's first five Violin Sonatas - Opp. 12 (Nos. 1-3), 23, 24 - and the Third Sonata from his Op. 30. They are each coupled with first recordings of their new companion pieces. Jonathan Dove's Ludwig Games is a glorious "upbeat" to Beethoven's First Sonata in which motivic dynamism and minimalist accents are brilliantly matched. The punningly titled A Major Chase updates the humorous Second Sonata in a virtuosic display described by composer Peter Ash as "BartÃ³k meets Tom and Jerry". Imaginatively re-working the key of E flat, the characterful dissonance of Elspeth Brooke's Swoop offers a decidedly contemporary response to the Third Sonata. Judith Bingham's The Neglected Child pays a heartfelt homage to Beethoven's Op. 23, while Huw Watkins' Spring is a masterly miniature inspired by the radiant, lyrical textures of Op. 24. Jeremy Thurlow's MehlschÃ¶berl alights on the wit of Op. 30 No. 3 to take two motivic cells from Beethoven's score as the starting point for an intriguing and involving set of colorful transformations. Daniel Tong says: "The new companion pieces locate this set of recordings within a specific time - these composers' responses to Beethoven coupled with our response as interpreters - leaving us with the thought that, in the end, all interpretation is work in progress."

Tracklist:

Ludwig Games
Violin Sonata No. 1 In D Major, Op. 12 No. 1: I. Allegro Con Brio
Violin Sonata No. 1 In D Major, Op. 12 No. 1: II. Theme & Variations. Andante Con Moto
Violin Sonata No. 1 In D Major, Op. 12 No. 1: III. Rondo (Allegro)
A Major Chase
Violin Sonata No. 2 In A Major, Op. 12 No. 2: I. Allegro Vivace
Violin Sonata No. 2 In A Major, Op. 12 No. 2: II. Andante Più Tosto Allegretto
Violin Sonata No. 2 In A Major, Op. 12 No. 2: III. Allegro Piacevole
Swoop
Violin Sonata No. 3 In E-Flat Major, Op. 12 No. 3: I. Allegro Con Spirito
Violin Sonata No. 3 In E-Flat Major, Op. 12 No. 3: II. Adagio Con Molto Espressione
Violin Sonata No. 3 In E-Flat Major, Op. 12 No. 3: III. Rondo (Allegro Molto)
Violin Sonata No. 4 In A Minor, Op. 23: I. Presto
Violin Sonata No. 4 In A Minor, Op. 23: II. Andante Scherzoso, Più Allegretto
Violin Sonata No. 4 In A Minor, Op. 23: III. Allegro Molto
The Neglected Child
Spring
Violin Sonata No. 5 In F Major, Op. 24 "Spring": I. Allegro
Violin Sonata No. 5 In F Major, Op. 24 "Spring": II. Adagio Molto Espressivo
Violin Sonata No. 5 In F Major, Op. 24 "Spring": III. Scherzo. Allegro Molto
Violin Sonata No. 5 In F Major, Op. 24 "Spring": IV. Rondo. Allegro Ma Non Troppo
Mehlschöberl
Violin Sonata No. 8 In G Major, Op. 30 No. 3: I. Allegro Assai
Violin Sonata No. 8 In G Major, Op. 30 No. 3: II. Tempo Di Minuetto, Ma Molto Moderato E Grazioso
Violin Sonata No. 8 In G Major, Op. 30 No. 3: III. Allegro Vivace

UPC: 748871018129
Label: Somm Recordings
Release Date: 5.18.18
Format: CD

Beethoven / Osostowicz / Tong - Beethoven Plus 1 (2 CD)