Beethoven composed the three Op. 30 sonatas in Heiligenstadt, a village near Vienna, between March and May 1802, while struggling with increasing deafness.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Beethoven insisted that the violin part in his violin sonatas was "obligatory" and not "ad libitum," meaning it was essential and could not be omitted.
Performer Biography
Dénes Várjon, the pianist on this album, is a versatile musician who is an acclaimed soloist, chamber musician, festival artistic director, and piano pedagogue.
Composer Biography
During the period of composing the Op. 30 sonatas, Beethoven was experiencing profound despair and considered suicide, as documented in his 'Heiligenstadt Testament'.
Instruments
Antje Weithaas, the violinist, performs on a Peter Greiner violin made in 2001.
Composition History
The first nine of Beethoven's ten violin sonatas were composed within a relatively short period of six years, from 1797 to 1803.
Performer Biography
Antje Weithaas, the violinist on this album, began playing the violin at four and a half years old and has won several international competitions, including the Joseph Joachim International Violin Competition Hanover.
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