The fortepiano used in this recording is a Paul McNulty instrument modeled after an Anton Walter fortepiano from 1794, a maker praised by Mozart and Beethoven.
Composition History
Beethoven's Op. 12 violin sonatas were diplomatically dedicated to court Kapellmeister Antonio Salieri, who then gave Beethoven free tuition in Italian word-setting.
Historical Context
In the late 18th century, the violin sonata became a popular genre for domestic music-making in aristocratic salons and middle-class drawing rooms.
Composition History
Beethoven's famous 'Spring' Sonata, Op. 24, was composed in 1800, a crucial year when he also premiered his Septet and First Symphony.
Critical Reception
A critic from the Leipzig Allgemeine musikalische Zeitung described Beethoven's Op. 12 sonatas as having a "bizarre and singular gait" and a "heaping up of difficulties till one loses all patience and enjoyment."
Performer Biography
Alina Ibragimova, the violinist on this recording, performs music from baroque to new commissions on both modern and period instruments.
Cultural Impact
If a royalty system had existed around 1800, Beethoven would have made a small fortune from his Op. 12 violin sonatas, which were in high demand across northern Europe.
