Violin Concertos & Sonatas [2 CD set]

"Isabelle Faust makes an intelligent, passionate debut as a major soloist in my book. These Beethoven readings have waked me from my dogmatic slumbers. A sensational album, I dare say."
(AudAud.com on the Beethoven)

"Faust's resinous tone and fearless passagework produce a reading of uncommon energy, without ever compromising Beethoven's basically lyrical inspiration. You'll be particularly taken with her cadenzas. In the first movement she includes solo timpani as did Beethoven himself in his transcription of the work for piano and orchestra, while Faust's transition between the Adagio and the Finale has to be one of the most compelling and effective on disc. Tempos throughout are ideal. The Prague Philharmonia under Jirí Belohlávek accompanies beautifully-not just where we might expect (the woodwinds), but in the detailed rhythmic underpinning that permits Faust to really float Beethoven's melodies." (ClassicsToday on the Beethoven)

"This is in fact vibrant and taut music-making and Faust is tense, emotive and ardent. She reveals Martinů, the latter-day Bruch, in the lissom, nostalgic and poetic andante. Some of the sensational angst of the first movement carries over into the spark-flittering excitement of the cantabile finale. Like so many of his works of the American years this is a superb piece." (MusicWeb on the Martinu)