Hristova and Houstoun: the complete Beethoven Violin Sonatas
Michael Houstoun and Bella Hristova
Image credit: RNZ/Tim Dodd
Bulgarian violinist Bella Hristova and pianist Michael Houstoun, a generation apart in age, discovered what Hristova called a “magical unspoken musical understanding” when they performed together in 2008. They were on a “Winner’s Tour” of New Zealand, part of the violinist’s prize as winner of the 2007 Michael Hill International Violin Competition. This recent release is the culmination of Hristova’s dream from that time.
That tour included what Hristova described as her “first truly significant exposure to Beethoven,” ten performances of the tempestuous ‘Kreutzer’ Sonata. She could not have asked for a more experienced collaborator; Beethoven’s piano music has played a major role in Houstoun’s career, including acclaimed performances and recordings of the thirty-two Piano Sonatas (a fourteen CD set released in 2014) and, two years ago, the master’s massive Diabelli Variations.
Hristova had to wait a decade before realising her vision of performing all ten of Beethoven’s Sonatas for violin and piano with Houstoun. This ambitious undertaking led to a three-programme mini-festival in Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland and concluded with this recording, just released as a four CD set.
Beethoven: The Violin Sonatas
Bella Hristova and Michael Houstoun
Released by Rattle as a 4 CD set
Houstoun’s approach to Beethoven is always without pretension or flashiness, letting the music speak for itself. From the first Sonata it’s clear Hristova shares his conception and their ensemble work is impeccable, with rapid well-matched passage work and shapely melodic lines. The beautiful Adagio of the well-known ‘Spring” Sonata is one of very few places where that simplicity of style seems a little matter-of-fact. This molto espressivo movement, full of romantic beauty, needs a more poetic and nuanced approach.
Mostly composed between 1797 and 1803, Beethoven’s Violin Sonatas redefined the form. Longer and more challenging than those of his predecessors, these works are undoubtedly for professional musicians. The piano is elevated by Beethoven to an equal footing with the violin and Houstoun and Hristova are a splendidly balanced partnership, bringing a sense of extended conversation to these marvelously varied works. Both are strong players and deliver the brilliant virtuosity and profound drama Beethoven frequently demands.
Hristova has admitted that the moody 7th Sonata from Opus 30 is her favourite. Written when Beethoven was suffering from the ringing and buzzing in his ears that foreshadowed his deafness, it reflects his angst through the key of C minor, a Masonic symbol of death. Here the musicians fully capture the passionate drama of the opening, the sorrowful tenderness of the slow movement and the suspenseful Finale in a profound and virtuosic performance.
The “Kreutzer” itself opens the fourth disc. This titanic work, symphonic in conception, is the longest of the Sonatas and a marvellous vehicle for these two musicians. With fire and bounce in the fast sections, a seductive dancing spirit in the variations, and an ending of sparkling zest, Hristova and Houstoun demonstrate again the special rapport that make this significant release a huge listening pleasure.
With Houstoun’s retirement from performing just over a year away, his many fans will treasure the high-quality recordings of his playing produced by Rattle over the past five years.
Beethoven: The Violin Sonatas Bella Hristova (violin) Michael Houstoun (piano) (Rattle) Purchase here
This album review was first published in the NZ Listener June 2019