The violin sonatas by Alfred Schnittke extend over his whole career. The First Sonata is among his earliest major pieces while the Second Sonata typifies the confrontational manner of the works that followed. The much later Third Sonata possesses the spareness and simplicity found in the music from the composer’s last decade, paradoxically shared with the two movements of a violin sonata that Schnittke wrote as a student in 1954 and 1955, and that was only discovered after his death.
"…fascinating program…The performers…give this stylistically varied program skillful advocacy." Allen Gimbel - American Record Guide - November 2011
"...There is a handful of recordings of these four works individually. But none in the current catalogue which nicely groups all three as this one does. That alone makes it a good choice. The acoustic is clean and close. The notes with the booklet are illuminating. All in all a sympathetic, revealing and enduring set of performances that can only enhance Schnittke’s reputation. Don’t hesitate."
Mark Sealey - MusicWeb-International.com - August 2011
"...violinist Carolyn Huebl and pianist Mark Wait make such a convincing argument for each of these distinctive works. They handle the variety and contrasts of Schnittke’s polystylistic perspective with sensitivity and security, and adapt their impressive tonal resources to every demand the composer makes…"
Art Lange - Fanfare - March 2012
