Edvard Grieg’s three Sonatas for Violin and Piano (F-major, Opus 8; G-major, Opus 13; C-minor, Opus 45) offer a range of emotions and moods – intimate to impassioned, soulful to scurrying, dramatic to dancing – the composer also including indigenous (Norwegian) colours and refrains. They make a handsome triptych, and a delightful recital, to which in response Elena Urioste & Tom Poster prove to be a charismatic duo, she just as a capable of shading her violin’s strings as she is digging into them, but never gratuitously, creating consistently lovely tone, he sensitive in support without denuding his considerable character. There’s a wide dynamic range, too. Each of the nine movements is attractive, brought to life by the players’ insights, interactions and affection for the music, and these artists have also made sympathetic arrangements of a Grieg Song (Last Spring, Opus 33/2, a well-known heartfelt melody) and a Lyric Piece (To the Spring, Opus 43/5, no less appealing), which intersperse the Sonatas in pleasing fashion. Andrew Keener’s immaculate production is complemented by Simon Eadon’s tangible and well-balanced sound. Orchid Classics ORC100126.
To the Spring – Elena Urioste & Tom Poster record Grieg [Orchid Classics]
