Pianist András Schiff and violinist Yuuko Shiokawa have launched their latest album, Brahms / Schumann, under ECM Records. This album features Brahms’s Violin Sonata Op. 78 No. 1 in G major and Schumann’s Violin Sonata Op. 121 No. 2 in D minor, highlighting the duo’s synergy and deep emotional connection to the works.
The album begins with Brahms’ first violin sonata, often referred to as the “Regenliedsonate” (Rain Sonata). The final movement includes motifs from his songs “Regenlied” (Rain Song) and “Nachklang” (Lingering Sound).
In contrast, Schumann’s sonata showcases passionate themes and dynamic contrasts, allowing the duo to engage in a dramatic dialogue that captures the composer’s romantic essence.
This sonata premiered in 1853, performed by Clara Schumann and Joseph Joachim. That same year, Brahms, Schumann, and Albert Dietrich collaborated on the F-A-E Sonata, with Brahms contributing the c minor scherzo, likely inspired by the second movement of Schumann’s sonata.
Schiff and Shiokawa previously released an album in 2017 featuring the violin sonatas of Bach, Busoni, and Beethoven. Their first collaboration for the label dates back to 2000 with a recording of Schubert’s C Major Fantasy, and now they turn their focus to the core repertoire of Romantic chamber music.
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