In his autobiography I Really Should Be Practicing, pianist Gary Graffman warmly recalls his chamber music collaborations with violinist Henryk Szeryng. Judging from these Beethoven performances culled from previously unreleased 1970/71 Library of Congress concerts, the Szeryng/Graffman partnership yielded exciting results. The rapid figurations in the E-flat Op. 12 No. 3’s first movement bounce back and forth between Szeryng and Graffman with irresistible and stylish élan, while the duo’s brisker than usual yet colorfully sustained central Adagio is refreshing in its expressive economy. Also note the spirited give and take in the D major Op. 12 No. 1’s outer movements. The “Kreutzer” sonata’s louder moments sometimes find Graffman forcing his tone to monochrome effect, and his more insistent fingerwork doesn’t match the nimble finesse of Arthur Rubinstein’s 1958 studio version with Szeryng (still the violinist’s finest “Kreutzer”). In any event, Szeryng’s on top form, and the sound quality is way above average for archival recordings. Recommended with pleasure.
