<<<  <<  -- 2 --  Anna L Franco    STUNNING PERFORMANCE

The second Sonata in A major, Op 100, opened lyrically and reached a conversation between the two instruments, with the piano leading and the violin echoing. The second movement, Andante Tranquillo: Vivace contrasted calm, lyrical passages with more intense, lively moments including a pizzicato section. The final movement, allegretto grazioso (quasi andante) evoked the graceful warmth that the movement title suggests, as the pianist's finely polished arpeggios ascended across the keyboard.

The Sonata No 3 in D minor, Op 108 has four movements. In the first movement, the agile violin played lyrically, contrasting with the powerful and insistent piano. A calm fire burned through the second movement lighting the way to the third movement, which opened playfully and then became a frenzied race. After the final movement, presto agitato, the duo received a standing ovation. As encore, they concluded with a stunning performance of Melodie by Kreisler.

Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg and Anne-Marie McDermott had spent a few moments on stage discussing the different individual characteristics of the three sonatas. Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg has recently launched her own recording label: NSS Music; it was founded in the fall of 2005.