Beethoven’s Violin Sonatas – Part III

When star violinist Janine Jansen and pianist Denis Kozhukhin last appeared together at Konserthuset, a reviewer in Dagens Nyheter wrote that “sparks flew” and described Jansen’s bow as “a magic wand”. Now we have the opportunity to experience them again in a programme devoted entirely to Beethoven.

The sonatas for violin and piano are all individual masterpieces, each with its own distinct character. The G major sonata that opens this concert is playful and full of humour, while the A major sonata is relaxed and warm. The piano was, of course, Beethoven’s own instrument, yet he was able to draw out the full potential of the violin.

The Ninth Sonata, the so-called Kreutzer Sonata, is music of great intensity and grandeur, where singing lines are constantly interrupted by powerful drama and unexpected harmonic turns. The work inspired Leo Tolstoy’s searing novella of the same name, The Kreutzer Sonata.

Janine Jansen appears several times at Konserthuset this season: in two programmes with the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra, as well as in this concert in the Main Hall, which forms part of Konserthuset’s wide-ranging focus on Beethoven.