Both highly in demand on a worldwide scale as unique, exceptional chamber music performers, Antje Weithaas and Dénes Várjon each ideally combine the highest degree of enthusiasm and precision: their energetic, passionate playing is the result of intense concentration.

In volume one of their complete recording of Beethoven's violin sonatas, Weithaas and Várjon have chosen not to follow chronological order, but to seek out thrilling contrast and fascinating variety instead - thus making Beethoven's rapid evolution as a composer all the more astounding. Volume 1, featuring op.12 no.2, op.23, and op.47, revolves around the tonal centre of A major/A minor.

All movements in these three sonatas are "in A", except for the middle movement in the Kreutzer Sonata, which is in F major. All three works follow tradition in terms of general structure: they are in three movements, with rapid outer movements in sonata or rondo form surrounding a slower middle movement that tends to be melodious.

For Beethoven, however, such a link with tradition could only serve as a springboard for innovation.

We can thus clearly trace the astounding transformation of Beethoven's style between the second and the second-to-last violin sonata, particularly since both are in A major.