On Mon, 25 Nov 2002 21:34:01 +0100 Fritz Feger <mail@fritzfeger.de> wrote:

Profound recommendations by Steve Smith. I'd add, though well damaging in a budgetary sense, the DG complete violin sonatas performed by Anne Sophie Mutter and Lambert Orkis. At the same time accurately Beethovenesque and boldly personal.

Enthusiastically seconded, though I won't go so far as to back Mutter's recordings of the concerto. The earlier one, made when she was in her teens,is well played but doesn't have very much personality; the second one, made this past May, is played even better, magnificently recorded and full of personality--unfortunately, in the form of fussy and labored quirks. In the sonatas, Mutter and Orkis can be enthusiastically recommended. I'm hearing pretty exceptional praise for the new set by Augustin Dumay and Maria Joao Pires on the same label (and less expensive!) but haven't been able to hear these just yet. Steve Smith ssmith36@sprynet.com NP - Philip Glass, Candyman (Orange Mountain)