Agnes Zimmermann: The Violin Sonatas
Born in Cologne, Agnes Zimmermann (1847–1925) settled in London as a child. She made her concert debut in 1863, playing the ‘Emperor’ Concerto, and was soon celebrated as one of Europe’s more important pianists, her partners in chamber music including Clara Schumann, Joseph Joachim, Alfredo Piatti and Wilma Neruda, Lady Hallé. She enjoyed a reputation also as teacher, music editor and composer. At the centre of her modest output of compositions are three substantial violin sonatas. Dramatic and lyrical by turn, and always beautifully crafted, they lie somewhere between Mendelssohn and Brahms, but demonstrate an impressively personal musical voice.
Mathilde Milwidsky, violin
Sam Haywood, piano
FIRST RECORDINGS
Listen To This Recording:
-
Sonata for Piano and Violin No. 3 in G minor, Op. 23 (1879)
- I Allegro moderato
- II Andante affetuoso
- III Scherzo: Allegro grazioso
- IV Finale: Allegro appassionato
- I Allegro assai
- II Scherzo: Allegro scherzando
- III Andante cantabile
- IV Finale: Allegro grazioso
- I Allegro
- II Scherzo: Allegro grazioso
- III Andante tranquillo
- IV Finale: Allegro vivace
Sonata for Piano and Violin No. 2 in A minor, Op. 21 (1875)
Sonata for Piano and Violin No. 1 in D minor, Op. 16 (1868)
MusicWeb International :
‘I was struck by the quality of the composition in these works when sampling them online, and the works in their entirety have proven equally impressive. You can add the name Agnes Zimmermann to your list of female composers who deserve to be programmed more often, and with these three sonatas now in the public domain there is no excuse for their absence.’
—Dominy Clements, MusicWeb International