The album title, 'Warum machst Du nichts für Geige und Clavier?', translates to 'Why don't you do something for violin and piano?'.
Historical Context
The viola, as a solo instrument, experienced a low point in appreciation and development during the 18th and 19th centuries, often played by 'rejected violinists' according to Hector Berlioz.
Instruments
Johannes Brahms's late Sonatas, Op. 120, though often performed on viola, were originally written for Richard Mühlfeld, the solo clarinetist of the Meininger Hofkapelle.
Composition History
Robert Schumann's Second Violin Sonata in D minor was inspired by a letter from his friend Ferdinand David, a renowned violinist, asking him to compose something for violin and piano.
Compositional Technique
In Schumann's Second Violin Sonata, the motif d-a-f-d appears in the music, which is a coded reference to the violinist Ferdinand David (with 'v' replaced by 'f').
Composer Biography
Robert Schumann, one of the composers featured, wrote an essay titled 'Neue Bahnen' ('New Paths') introducing Johannes Brahms, the other composer, as his 'crown prince'.
Recording & Production
This album was recorded in October 2017 at the Joseph-Joachim-Saal in Berlin, Germany.
