Search - Mozart Violin Sonatas - Gil Shaham, Orli Shaham [Region 0] on DVD

An Evening of Elegantly Played Mozart Violin/Piano Sonatas

J Scott Morrison | Middlebury VT, USA | 06/26/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"In his six sonatas for keyboard and violin (K.301-06) written in 1778 and published in Paris, Mozart borrowed some features of Joseph Schuster's piano/violin divertimentos (which he praised in a letter of 6 October 1777 to his father, noting that they were very popular and thus he thought he'd write six pieces in the same style), notably in the structure of the first movement of K.303, where the Adagio introduction represents the first subject and recurs at the recapitulation. The sonatas exhibit a wide variety of styles and affects, ranging from the somber, somewhat eerie sonata in E minor K. 304 (the only minor key sonata of this group), to the virtually orchestral K.302. In the process he made an almost complete transition from the previous tendency for the violin sonata to be a piano sonata with violin accompaniment to one where the two instruments are equal partners.

In this elegantly played and filmed DVD we have those K.301-306 sonatas played by violinist Gil Shaham and his sister, pianist Orli Shaham, recorded in an ornately decorated room in the Palais Daun-Kinsky, Vienna. The two musicians have played together since childhood and it is clear that they are in close communication throughout. Although Shaham has probably made his name in the big violin concerto repertoire -- his playing of the Brahms concerto with the Berlin Philharmonic on an earlier DVD was outstanding -- he has also always been an avid chamber player and it is obvious that he understands the give and take of these sonatas. As for Orli, she is an extraordinarily sensitive player in this repertoire and one even has the sense that she sets the tone for the performances here. The pianissimi obtained by the two -- as in the Andante grazioso variation movement of K.305 -- are the kind that make you stop breathing and lean forward so as not to miss a note. Videography is discreet and inobtrusive. One does notice that although both musicians play from score one almost never sees Gil's music stand, leading one at first to think he is playing from memory. The fact is, neither player is glued to their score, and there is spontaneity evident throughout. Sound is excellent in all formats.

This is truly marvelous music-making and anyone interested in these works and these players would be well advised to view this DVD.

TT=99 mins; PCMStereo/DD5.1/DTS5.1

Scott Morrison
"

Excellent performance

J. H. Swart | netherlands | 08/24/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I saw this show on television and now I have it on DVD.
It is a very good performance and the music is played "cantabile"
wich means, in my opion, they play perfect, but also with the heart.
Also the service of Amazon is 5 stars.
"

Mozart Violin Sonatas

Fausto E. Arcos | 01/03/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a very nice performance of Mozart sonatas by brother and sister Shaham. Gil displays as always his highly polished technic which here does a lot to enhance the beauty of Mozart's pieces. Orly although not at his brother's virtuosity level does a good job of complementing the ensamble. The beautiful venue helps also to establish the proper mood for listening to this timeless composer's work.

F Arcos

New Jersey, USA"

First class in all respects

GUY HUTCHINSON | 11/05/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Here is music making of the very best kind .The violinist is one of the world's greatest and his sister is equally superb ;and together they are a WONDERFUL team in the presentation of this glorious music. Make sure that you have this gem in your collection!"