Antje Weithaas, Silke Avenhaus - Dvorak & Suk: Violin & Piano (2011)

Discs that feature the music of both teacher and student are common enough, but add to that the relationship of father and son-in-law and you have a real rarity. Such is the case with the elder Antonín Dvorák and the junior Josef Suk, who married Dvorák's daughter. While the majority of Dvorák's oeuvre is commonly performed, Suk's equally impressive output is woefully neglected. His early works are tinged with the folk elements and melodic workings of his teacher, but later Suk adopted his own flair for rich, passionate, Romantic melodies. This Avi disc features several lesser known works by both composers written for violin and piano and performed by violinist Antje Weithaas and pianist Silke Avenhaus. Weithaas and Avenhaus frequently partner on-stage and in the recording studio, and this disc demonstrates the clear, musically organic bond the two have formed. Avenhaus is both a sensitive accompanist and skilled performer in her own right, providing meticulously precise articulation, careful pedaling, and an abundance of color variety. Weithaas is a passionate, fervent performer who delivers both technical brilliance and bravura and sentimental, warm playing. The duo effortlessly brings life and vitality to these infrequently played works, making listeners immediately take notice and wonder why they're not played more often. The only possible detractor from the album is Avi's recorded sound, which is present in Weithaas' forte playing in the violin's upper register is shrill and grating.