Elmar Oliveira and Robert Koenig - Corigliano & Copland: Violin Sonatas (2007)

This album of violinist Elmar Oliveira and pianist Robert Koenig does what more albums should be doing: taking lesser-known works and showing the listener why he/she should be household names through magnificent and convincing performances. The three works on the program give a wonderful cross-section of what American art music has to offer, from the neo-Romantic Corigliano sonata to the more rural sensibilities of the Copland sonata. Oliveira and Koenig present a performance of true chamber music, never putting the importance of one instrument over the other. Oliveira's playing is exceptionally multi-faceted, easily changing gears from the simple, cantabile playing in the Copland second movement to the maniacal and sprightly finale of the Corigliano. Articulation is crisp and uniform between the violin and piano; rhythm, as is necessary for music of this genre, is precisely executed. The feature that perhaps brings the most to this collection of American music is the unbridled energy demonstrated by both musicians. Even slow movements have a certain forward momentum that sustains their energy throughout. All of this stellar playing truly honors the compositions of these three American composers and demonstrates that there are still works out there that simply haven't had a commanding performance necessary to bring it into the limelight. This album absolutely deserves a slot on just about anyone's shelf.