Niek Baar & Ben Kim

Beethoven composed his first three violin sonatas, opus 12, in 1797/8 and dedicated them to Salieri from with whom he was to have some lessons. Beethoven's reputations at that time was still based on his accomplishments as a pianist. But the violin didn't hold many secrets for him either. Both the piano and the violin underwent some technical improvements during that time. That's why Beethoven was the ideal person to explore the new possibilities, not to everyones delight. 'To intellectual and in want of more singing qualities' one critic wrote. The opening movement reveals immediately how extremely difficult the piano part actually is. But the score is a handful for the violinist as well. The adagio is ruled by a serene quiet and seriousness whereas the finale has the piano and violin frolicing around each other again in abundnace.