Brahms - Violin Sonata 2 [Belkin/Dalberto]The Russian Boris Belkin has too few recordings, and this is one of his treasurable discs, now really hard to get hold of, but worth the search, as this disc is worth adding to your collection, a lovely booklet with some nice shots of Belkin and Dalberto in action on the front cover/back inlay, it's a shame that Denon discs aren't more readily available, they have a treasure trove of a back catalogue.
The second Violin Sonata is my favourite of the three, it has great variety, especially in the middle movement, which oscillates and shifts back and forth between andante and vivace passages, very effective indeed, like a set of variations, and yet they are more a set of variations of tempi, slow and fast, light and dark, sweet and sour if you like, in the central fast section the Violin is plucked to great effect, afterwards comes a more coda-ish slow passage, and then a very short ten second fast climax to bring the thing to a close, a very satisfying musical experience.
I find a sweetness in Belkin's playing, he is true to the score of the music, nothing showy or flashy, just simply revealing the genius of Brahms, plus Michel Dalberto is a complementary partner, expert in Brahms and Schubert, Dalberto has made some riveting solo Brahms Piano music on Erato worth checking out.
Here's Sanja Jovic playing the second movement on YouTube.
