Eastman Showcase 2008
A Splendid Series
A Viennese reviewer of 1798 found Ludwig’s van Beethoven’s earliest violin sonatas (Opus 12) “strange…overladen with difficulties.” But he also admitted that Beethoven was “a man of genius, possessed of originality, and goes his own way.” The man of genius eventually wrote ten sonatas for violin and piano between 1798 and 1812; they are a bridge between the Classical and Romantic styles of composition, and one of the great tests of a violinist’s artistry.
While it is common to hear one Beethoven violin sonata on a recital program, it is quite rare to hear all ten played by one violinist in a series – but all ten Beethoven sonatas will be offered by Eastman School Professor of Violin Oleh Krysa and Assistant Professor of Chamber Music and Accompanying Tatiana Tchekina in three recitals this month and next. The duo (who are also husband and wife) presented all ten last November at Florida’s Shepherd Institute of Music, and will perform them in Eastman’s Kilbourn Hall as part of the Faculty Artist Series on January 23, January 29, and February 3, 2008.
For information about the Beethoven sonata series, and about all the recitals, see Eastman’s Faculty Artists Series.