Violin Sonatas

Tasmin Little (violin) & Piers Lane (piano)

This Brahms album with the internationally acclaimed duo Tasmin Little and Piers Lane will stand as a landmark in their already highly praised discography of romantic chamber music repertoire. Standing amongst the summits of the genre, the three violin sonatas by Brahms, his only ever published ones, are a pure demonstration of radiant effusiveness and romanticism in that they call for great virtuosity as well as empathy from both instruments equally. Although written twenty-five years later, they have their origin in 1853 when Brahms made the acquaintance of the Schumanns and, above all, of the great violinist Joseph Joachim, who would remain one of his closest and most musically influential friends. From the profoundly lyrical Op. 78 and Op. 100 to the more pianistic Op. 108, this recording reveals Brahms at his most intense, poetic, and melodic. Faultless support is delivered by a duo that has now established itself as a major force in romantic repertoire.

Brahms: Violin Sonatas Nos. 1-3:
 No. 1 in G major, Op. 78
 No. 2 in A major, Op. 100
 No. 3 in D minor, Op. 108

"The second sonata, with its melodic links to Brahms’ song Wie Melodien zieht es mir, finds Little soaring splendidly, while the crepuscular Andante tranquillo theme is perfectly judged. The third sonata is the finest performance of the three, with Little infinitely touching in the Adagio and a wonderful Scherzo from both musicians.
Classical Music - April 2018 ****

"The vivace sections of the second movement are quicksilver, with light and nimble playing from Little and the always- excellent Piers Lane. The slow movement is a seamless flow of intense, controlled emotion, and the finale has some splendid theatrical outbursts.:
The Strad - May 2018

"Rarely have I heard such unanimity of ensemble on disc. Tasmin Little and piers Lane’s fluid yet flexible approach to rubato and tempo fluctuation can only have been achieved after years of rehearsing together and exchanging musical ideas. Little’s intense and warm vibrato is matched by Lane’s wonderfully rich piano with its emphasis on the bass register, ideally suited to Brahms."
BBC Music Magazine - June 2018 ***