For a debut, this is a pair of very accomplished players.
The German Hagner sisters have an impressive list of eminent collaborators
behind them (Abbado, Norrington, Plasson and Barenboim to name but four),
and as a duo they are well-travelled. Their choice of programme is an
attractive one, classical masterpieces with some French froth to lighten
the load and give violinist Viviane the chance to show off in the Cuban
Havanaise (track 5: 7’35"). Recording is brightly forward
in sound, accompaniments sensitively balanced and impeccably played
throughout by sister Nicole.
Beethoven’s sonata came at a time of crisis, when encroaching
deafness was evidently unstoppable though the cheerfully chirpy Scherzo
hardly gives that impression (track 3: 0’35"), while Schubert’s
Fantasie was written barely a year before his premature death at 31.
It is given a magical start (track 6: 0’40") with a breath-stopping
pianissimo achieved by both players. To conclude, they play Bizet’s
transcription with piano accompaniment of the familiar Introduction
and Rondo Capriccioso, which has lovely choices of tempi and immaculate
technique (track 12: 0’55") covering all possible styles in which
to show off and delivered with delectable panache to the manner born.
The final moments positively fizz.
Christopher Fifield
Viviane Hagner (violin)