The so-called "Spring Sonata" is almost conceived as a small symphony, which also explains the four-movement structure of the work. The first movement begins with much joy and energy and bears witness to Beethoven's genius in developing the drama of the music. The Adagio molto espressivo, kept in simple song form, is followed by a scherzo that is striking in many respects: Beethoven caricatures here a bad, dilettantish interplay between violin and piano and falls back in the trio on primitive movement techniques from folk music. In the last movement, Beethoven tries to break up the rigid form of the rondo through variation and motivic work.

For this sonata cycle, recorded at the Salzburg Festival, the Greek violinist Leonidas Kavakos teams up with the Italian pianist Enrico Pace to perform the complete Violin Sonatas by Ludwig van Beethoven – available in ten single episodes, one for each sonata. Kavakos is one of today’s most widely admired and sought-after artists – dubbed “The Violinist of Violinists” by the classical music magazine The Strad – Leonidas Kavakos won the 1985 International Sibelius Competition at the age of only 18, as the youngest contestant that year, before going on to scoop up a string of other top awards. Pace is an equally illustrious contemporary and a first prize winner at both the 1987 International Yamaha and the 1989 International Franz Liszt competitions. “Together these two make magic” (Buffalo News), “an ideally attuned, technically perfect duo” (Die Presse).

“The silken sweetness of Kavakos’s Stradivarius was beyond beautiful”. (Dallas Morning News)

“A magician of the violin, who infuses even the slightest breath of a tone with expression.” (Der Tagesspiegel )

“Stunning... he might be the most deeply satisfying violinist performing today.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

He isn't just an exceptional violinist, he is also an excellent musician . . . [he] offers absorbing listening. His classical style is impeccable, and the tone . . . ideal throughout. He's extremely well served by his partner. Record Review / David Mellor, Daily Mail (London) / 13. January 2013