Sayaka Shoji and Gianluca Cascioli play Beethoven : Violin Sonata No.5 in F major, Op.24 'Spring'

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
Violin Sonata No.5 in F major, Op.24 "Spring" (1800-01)
1. Allegro
2. Adagio molto espressivo
3. Scherzo, Allegro molto
4. Rondo, Allegro ma non troppo

Sayaka Shoji, violin
Gianluca Cascioli, piano

08.11.2010
Suntory Hall, Tokyo

[pkbsjdl]

What I think I am hearing is a very different and absolutely sublime interpretation of and approach to Beethoven where Shoji is coloring the more Mozart-like era themes and motif's in late Mozart whilst giving more depth and complexity to where Beethoven comes into his the middle of his era. I have never heard the "Spring" played like this, Menuhin does something similar in the late 50's but there is something about Shoji's slightly slower pace that draws out more of the contrast - I think the slight tempo tension between both players is deliberate and again creates some wonderful phrasing. This is unique but the more I listen to this violinist both in terms of technique and interpretation she certainly deserves to be considered as one of the very best. I would love to hear her play the Mozart violin concerti and the full version of the Beethoven.

[dankinsler]

She has the most relaxed bow arm....its a joy to watch.

[jessicachen]

I love the way she has her own style which is quite different from what we normally see :) Well Done 👍🏻!!!

[danielle_r.k]

She makes bowing look effortless. What an amazing violinist!

[scjqjgk]

透明な美しい音色…気持ちが浄化されます。
ソナタの場面の移り変わりが、分かりやすく伝わります。
後半のメロディの旋律にて有名な曲とわかりました。

[chiarapaganini]

I’m playing this sonata on my traverse flute (I was a violinist time ago) and it’s super!!!
GREAT INTERPRETATION! She’s an incredible violinist!

[i-told-you-sodear]

So beautiful. They play so well. Great accompanist to Shoji's fab sound.

[raoultak]

This takes me back to the era of Oistrakh and Grumiaux, violinists who were great musicians. Bravo Sayaka Shoji, you understand the art of playing music.

[vpljsni]

ピアノ伴奏が実にいいサポートしていますね。


よく表現されていて、
新鮮。

[EpidefaitageZinc]

Merci! Sayaka Shoji!!! Quel bonheur d'écouter avec autant d'émotion, les chefs d’œuvres, qu'elle met en avant....
Bonne fête de la musique!! Le violon... Une vibration du corps et de l'esprit... Un ensemble indescriptible d'exister ...

[giuseppegallo]

La più grande e inimitabile violinista di tutti i tempi.

[jerrydavis]

I like her defiant slow tempo. Most other players rush through

[tomclark]

Great composition, great performance! Love it.

[luizamsalgado]

The best partneship between Sublime Sayaka and Gianluca !

[dr.pjclarekobengisbey]

Just love it (including the fact that the rendition is slower than I am used to)!

[luizamsalgado]

Sayaka Shoji, lovely And on top of it: GENIUS OF IMAGINATION, as Mr. +MGH cnsGABA said so well

[greenteataste]

I enjoyed listening to this rendition.
I hear two complaints (1) slow (2) piano being too loud.
(1) Slow: Yes. The first movement is slow for modern allegro 4/4, which often means 100 quarter notes per min.
Nonetheless I find it quite convincing and beautiful. They managed to find many musical lines which I never knew exist even after listening to many world class players (which are also very beautiful and convincing as well).
(2) Loud piano: Yes. Piano could be loud in some cases. But it doesn't mean that the piano player made a musical mistake. Although this piece is often referred to as a violin sonana, Beethoven named it Sonana for Piano and Violin. i.e. it is not just violin but both of them are leading instruments. It is more like a conversation exchanged by two players, not an oration of viloin with piano accompaniment. Again, their rendition is quite convining to me. If anyone thinks piano is loud, try the Kremer-Argerich's version. You will see what loud piano is. Nonetheless their's is also quite nice.

[benjamincuevaseninde]

-- Elle est une immense violoniste. Et cette sonate est superbe, de Beethoven l'une de celle que je préfère. --

[zonazodiacal]

OMG! Sooo sweet! I loved this performance!

[juancarlosmasud]

Sayaka Shoji cuanto talento y dulzura