Brahms: Violin and Viola Sonatas
Shlomo Mintz (violin, viola)
Itamar Golan (piano)
Avie AV2057 (2 CDs)
Avie is a self-publishing label on which the artist pays to make
the disc and in return retains all rights.
He can also be his own producer, as Mintz is here for Brahms's
three Violin Sonatas, two Viola Sonatas, and the Scherzo from the
unfinished "FAE" Violin Sonata.
There is an obvious danger in jettisoning a second opinion in the control room and that is manifest in Mintz's testing, indulgent, ponderous reading of the G major first Violin Sonata and in a similarly misplaced approach to the A major second Sonata, whose opening movement, to my ears, lacks Brahms's specified graciousness.
Only in the tempestuous tragedy of the D minor third Sonata, thrillingly done, does Mintz's manner accord with the music.
The two viola sonatas are, however, a different matter,
Mintz warming to their mellow richness. Itamar Golan is an excellent pianist
throughout, sometimes a mite distantly recorded.
