Carl Maria von Weber, primarily known for his opera Der Freischütz, was a key figure in the development of German opera.
Compositional Technique
The influence of the stage is evident in Weber's sonatas, with Nos. 2 and 3 ending with an air polonaise and air russe, respectively.
Performer Biography
Arnold Steinhardt, the violinist on this recording, was a co-founder of the Guarneri Quartet, hailed as a foremost string quartet of the 20th century.
Composition History
Weber's Six Violin Sonatas, Op. 10, were composed in 1810 and published in Berlin the following year as 'Six sonates progressives'.
Performer Biography
Seymour Lipkin, the pianist on this recording, won the prestigious Rachmaninoff Piano Competition at age 19 and performed with major American orchestras.
Critical Reception
Although rarely performed in their entirety today, themes from Weber's sonatas have been recognized through transcriptions by figures like Gregor Piatigorsky and Fritz Kreisler.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Weber's opera Euryanthe anticipated the Leitmotif technique, which later became fundamental to Richard Wagner's opera-dramas.
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Invocation
Yehudi Menuhin, Vol. 2: Bach Sonatas for Violin & Harpsichord
