Andrew Wan and Charles Richard-Hamelin,

Beethoven: Violin Sonatas Nos. 6, 7 & 8 Review

Violinist Andrew Wan and pianist Charles Richard-Hamelin have teamed up to cover the complete Beethoven Violin Sonatas. The two perform the works over the course of three albums, the first of which is Beethoven: Violin Sonatas Nos. 6, 7 & 8. In this first volume, the duet presents three sonatas, first is the sixth sonata, dedicated to Tsar Alexander I, which exhibits a serene Beethoven.  The seventh, almost of symphonic proportions, shows a more tormented side. Finally, the energetic Sonata No. 8, which has a balance of relaxed sections, moving activity and subtle humor.

Wan and Richard-Hamelin are two of the most outstanding musicians of their generation. Wan is the concertmaster of the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal and Richard-Hamelin is the winner of the silver medal and the Krystian Zimerman prize at the 2015 International Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw. The two understand and bring out Beethoven’s tremendous expressive qualities and lyrical virtuosity.