Although primarily remembered today for his stage works, especially the opera Der Freischütz, Carl Maria von Weber wrote a number of charming instrumental works that defined the musical language of the early German Romantic era. Weber’s six Violin Sonatas are characterised by rich melodic invention and spirited humour, reflecting the qualities that have made the composer’s Clarinet Quintet and two concertos, as well as his beloved “Invitation to the Dance”, so renowned. In fact, the popular violin piece known as “Sicilienne by Paradies” is actually derived from the haunting Larghetto from Weber’s First Violin Sonata.

Biddulph Recordings is proud to offer the first release of this digital recording of the complete Weber Violin Sonatas performed by violinist Arnold Steinhardt and pianist Seymour Lipkin. Although the two artists began their careers as soloists (Steinhardt won the Levintritt Competiton and the bronze Medal at the Queen Elisabeth Competition, and Lipkin won First Prize in the Rachmaninoff Piano Competition), both went on to have luminous careers in chamber music. Steinhardt was First Violinist of the famed Guarneri Quartet of over four decades, and Lipkin was a favoured chamber partner to such distinguished violinists as Jascha Heifetz, Oscar Shumsky, Aaron Rosand and Uto Ughi.