Isabelle Faust / Alexander Melnikov BRAHMS Violin Sonatas op. 100 & 108

This disc, recorded in 2014, completes the whole set of the three Brahms violin sonatas played by Faust and Melnikov. The first sonata, previously issued, is coupled with the Brahms trio and his Op 116 Fantasias for piano. This inevitably makes for difficulties for collectors as the main alternatives for the violin sonatas couple all three on one disc.

This disc also comes with unusual couplings which are the Schumann Three Romances which were published for either violin and piano or oboe and piano. These are very attractive pieces of vintage Schumann inspiration in a particularly gentle and song-like mode. The song-like nature of the music particularly suits the oboe, a wind instrument which phrases like a singer. There is a famous and superb version of these three pieces for oboe played by Holliger and Brendel as part of a Schumann disc of supreme quality. However, Faust and Melnikov make a strong case for the violin version with all the appropriate empathetic phrasing and tonal response.

At this point it is worthwhile to mention that the Faust disc features Melnikov's own Bosendorfer piano from 1875 and Faust’s Stradivarius violin which makes this disc qualify for ‘period’ status. The piano tone and dynamics are far more in line with modern pianos than might be expected and is far fuller than those used for period performances of music of an earlier date. No hint of woodenness’ or shallow tonal response for example and far greater dynamic range by this time. This disc will not cause concern for those interested in a modern instrument sound and who will be more likely to be mildly intrigued by the sound presented here.