Erica Morini, Rudolf Firkusny - Sonata Recital: Mozart, Beethoven, Brahms (2007)

There have been many famous collaborations between musicians who normally are thought of as having solo careers, Rubinstein and Heifetz and Kempff and Fournier to name but a few. Such is also the case with the two artists heard here: violinist Erica Morini and pianist Rudolf Firkusny. Although they enjoyed a brief stint together in the recording studio, as well, on this album we are treated to a rare live performance. Unlike some other duo partnerships, Morini and Firkusny really perform as equals, without the sometimes prevalent jockeying for a dominant position. The result is chamber music at its best. While both musicians are superlative technicians on their instrument, in this live performance listeners are afforded the opportunity to a much more spontaneous, free, and daring performance than they might be accustomed to having listened to the studio recordings. The Adagio second movement of the Mozart K. 481 Sonata is extraordinarily refined and elegant, a true testament to the musicality of these artists. Also noteworthy are the impressively fast tempos chosen for the first and third movements of the Beethoven Op. 30/2 Sonata that are still exceptionally polished and controlled. The sound quality of the recording is about what would be expected from a live recording from this era: a little bit flat, but still sufficiently clear without any trace of hiss.