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<< -- 3 -- Robert Anderson BEETHOVEN UNBUTTONED?
Polonaises were the rage of Congress Vienna, even if Czar Alexander might have
been politically less willing to dance them than some; so Mayseder's finale was
fashionable as well as tonally adventurous and ready for contrapuntal games
[listen -- track 12, 0:00-1:14].
Here Peter Sheppard Skaerved seems thoroughly at home, with nice rhythmic sense and
technical assurance. Whether he matched the daredevil playing of the 'mulatto'
George Bridgetower which so astonished Beethoven in the 'Kreutzer', I doubt.
To my ear his playing is occasionally on the flat side. This may be because most
violinists, for increased brilliance, tend to play slightly sharp. Nonetheless,
the effect makes for some wanness when pitted against the pounding pianism of
Aaron Shorr.
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