Beethoven: Sonatas for Piano and Violin Vol. 3 Michael Foyle & Maksim Štšura

• Ludwig van Beethoven (1770 - 1827): Sonata No. 9 in A Major, Op. 47:
• 1 Beethoven: Sonata No. 9 in A Major, Op. 47: I. Adagio sostenuto - Presto 10:52
• 2 Beethoven: Sonata No. 9 in A Major, Op. 47: II. Andante con variazioni 14:37
• 3 Beethoven: Sonata No. 9 in A Major, Op. 47: III. Finale. Presto 07:02
• Sonata No. 10 in G Major, Op. 96:
• 4 Beethoven: Sonata No. 10 in G Major, Op. 96: I. Allegro moderato 08:13
• 5 Beethoven: Sonata No. 10 in G Major, Op. 96: II. Adagio espressivo 05:32
• 6 Beethoven: Sonata No. 10 in G Major, Op. 96: III. Scherzo. Allegro 02:08
• 7 Beethoven: Sonata No. 10 in G Major, Op. 96: IV. Poco Allegretto 08:27
• Total Runtime 56:51

Info for Beethoven: Sonatas for Piano and Violin Vol. 3

The sonatas on the first two discs were emblematic of Beethoven’s early and middle periods, showcasing the composer’s command of the Classical idiom. The last two sonatas push the boundaries of the genre even further, resulting in artistic efforts of increased emotional intensity, cyclical scope, and lyrical intimacy. They are also considered among the most dramatic and challenging works in the duo repertoire.

An early review of Sonata no. 9 in the Allgemeine musikalische Zeitung was rude: ‘The addition to the title ‘scritta in uno stile molto concertante, quasi come d’un concerto’ appears eccentric, presumptuous and ostentatious’. However, to modern audiences this ‘like a concerto’ element that describes the equality and democratic dialogue between the two instruments is now integral to our understanding of the notion of chamber music and in this, Beethoven was a trailblazer. According to the great violinist Carl Flesch, ‘a flower must blossom in the souls’ of those performing Beethoven’s Sonata for Piano and Violin in G major Op. 96. The work dates from 1812, a full decade after previous six sonatas, and in its sublime beauty and pathos represents the transformation in Beethoven’s later works from the heroic, defiant drama immortalised in works like the ‘Kreutzer’ to something far more searching and spiritual, rather akin to his late quartets.

Michael Foyle, violin
Maksim Štšura, piano

Michael Foyle
Praised for playing of ‘compelling conviction’ (The Daily Telegraph) and performances ‘full of sparkling detail, with tonal beauty and incisive rhythmic clarity, balancing wit and poetry’ (The Strad), Michael Foyle launched his career by winning The Netherlands Violin Competition in 2016. His performance of Szymanowski’s Violin Concerto No.1 with the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra led to an immediate invitation to give his debut recital in the Concertgebouw, Amsterdam.

His London debut followed with a recital at the Wigmore Hall (‘superlative’ – Seen and Heard International) and since then he has performed recitals in the UK’s most prestigious venues, including Queen Elizabeth Hall, Purcell Room, Buckingham Palace, St. Martin-in-the-Fields, Bridgewater Hall and Usher Hall, regularly being broadcast on BBC Radio 3.

In 2018-19 he released his debut CDs, ‘The Great War Centenary - Debussy, Janacek and Respighi Sonatas’ on Challenge Records and ‘Lutoslawski and Penderecki: Complete Violin and Piano Works’ on Delphian Records, both to critical acclaim (‘vividly and beautifully conceived and executed – BBC Music Magazine, ‘richly detailed and impassioned performances’ - The Daily Telegraph, ‘a dream debut, 10/10’ – Luister, ’an extraordinary release, played phenomenally’ – Stretto). In 2020-21, he is releasing the Complete Beethoven Sonatas with pianist Maksim Stsura to mark the composer's bicentenary.

Michael now pursues a busy solo career, recently performing concertos with the English Chamber Orchestra at Cadogan Hall (Prokofiev No.1), the Polish Baltic Philharmonic in Gdansk (Elgar), Youth Symphony Orchestra of Russia in Great Hall of Moscow Conservatory (Brahms) and a return to the Rotterdam Philharmonic (Korngold). He gives recitals at festivals worldwide, including St. Magnus International Festival, New York Chamber Music Festival, Grachtenfestival Amsterdam, Cervantino Festival (Mexico) and Evgeny Mravinsky Festival (St. Petersburg).

Also a passionate collaborator, Michael has recently performed with the likes of Michael Collins, Rafael Payare, Trevor Pinnock, London Conchord Ensemble and the Brodsky Quartet. With duo pianist Maksim Stsura, he has given over 200 recitals. He has performed premieres of solo and chamber works by over 30 living composers, while invitations to perform as Guest-Concertmaster with orchestras such as BBC Symphony and The Halle have seen him working with conductors including Semyon Bychkov, Mark Elder, Oliver Knussen, Sakari Oramo and Vasily Petrenko.

Alongside his performance work, Michael became Professor at the Royal Academy of Music in London in 2016, the youngest violinist appointed in the institution’s 200-year history. In October 2021 he will also join the violin faculty of the Hochschule für Musik und Tanz in Cologne.

Michael was born in Scotland in 1991 and, as a teenager, won the BBC Young Musician of the Year Tabor Award and led the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain. He studied at the Royal College of Music and Royal Academy of Music in London with Maureen Smith and Daniel Rowland, and then at the Vienna Konservatorium with Pavel Vernikov. He also received masterclasses from James Ehnes and Maxim Vengerov. During this time, Michael won the Royal Overseas League String Competition, the Salieri-Zinetti International Chamber Music Competition and Beethoven Society of Europe Competition, and was selected for the Park Lane Group, City Music Foundation, Kirckman Concert Society, Making Music Young Concert Artists and Live Music Now.

He plays a Gennaro Gagliano violin (1750) on loan.

Booklet for Beethoven: Sonatas for Piano and Violin Vol. 3