Search - Paul Hindemith, Roland Pöntinen :: Hindemith: Viola Sonatas

Solid, Expressive Hindemith

Daniel Johnson | 07/15/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It would take some doing to turn me away from my Kim Kashkashian recording of the Hindemith viola works, but if any disc can come close, it would probably be have to be this one. Though I love Kashkashian's precise, sensitive interpretations of Hindemith, I often feel that the piano part simply doesn't get the aural prominence it deserves. But on this Imai/Pöntinen disc, most notably in the fiery finale of Op. 25 No. 4, the piano is thrillingly, vividly present. In fact, comparing them now, the whole of the acoustic seems much more alive... Though on the whole, I must prefer the alert tempi and smooth, handsome facility the Kashkashian performances, I am certainly glad I to fall back on this disc for perhaps a slightly edgier, more "live" rendition."