The 20-year-old Schubert’s genial and outward-looking Violin Sonata in A major, D. 574 explores the expressive range of the violin to the full and is, says Robert Matthew-Walker in his informative booklet notes, “a masterpiece of the late Classical era worthy to stand with the finest examples of Beethoven”.
The violinist Joseph Joachim considered Schumann’s Op. 121 Violin Sonata in D minor to be “one of the finest compositions of our times in respect of its marvellous unity of feeling and thematic significance. It overflows with noble passion, almost harsh and bitter in expression, and the last movement reminds one of the sea with glorious waves of sound”. Grieg’s Third Violin Sonata in C minor, Op. 45 was his last completed chamber work. Beginning and ending with passionately dramatic statements, it frames a central, nobly lyrical theme memorably shared by both instruments.
The Carlock-Combet Duo’s debut SOMM release ("Violin Sonatas by Franck, Poulenc and Saint-Saëns") was praised by Musical Opinion as “an engrossing programme” with “performances of fine musical insight”. © SOMM Recordings