It is my policy to give equal attention to special older CDs as to new releases. Having welcomed the auspicious start with Op. 96 of Peter Sheppard-Skaevared's "Beethoven Explored" project, I have listened again to these splendid live 1985 & 1988 sonata performances by the (then) Soviet composer-pianist Vassily Lobanov with the late, great violinist Oleg Kagan.
They are perfectly attuned and their listening and responding to each other is palpable. The pianist is properly prominent (Beethoven described them as sonatas for piano with violin) and these three favourites make for a wonderful recital programme.
Well worth adding to your collection even if you have one or more studio recordings of the whole cycle.
Copyright © 2003, Peter Grahame Woolf