Album: Beethoven, Kreutzer Sonata / Mullova etc (Onyx)

Gut strings suit Viktoria Mullova.

The violinist's exploration of historically informed performance practice continues with this remarkable recording of Beethoven's Kreutzer Sonata and Sonata in E flat with fortepianist Kristian Bezuidenhout. The pitch is dark (approximately a quarter tone below modern concert pitch), the articulation bold, the textures volatile.

The E flat's slow movement opens with a mere wisp of sound, the Kreutzer with chords of exquisite gravity. A provocative and highly expressive reading.