This Boundary-Challenging new 3CD set of Beethoven's complete Sonatas for Piano and Violin features the acclaimed duo: violinist Shunske Sato and pianist Shuann Chai.
Beethoven's pieces occupied a special place in their repertoire for a long time - in fact the Kreutzer Sonata was the very first piece they played together. Apart from playing Beethoven, both of them spent an inordinate amount of time delving into historical sources and old recordings.
The motivation to make this recording arose when Shunske Sato and Shuann Chai played all Sonatas as a mini-marathon. It turned out to be a worthy endeavour: they received tremendously positive feedback. This recording allows them to share 'their' Beethoven with even more people.
Shunske Sato is a violinist, conductor, chamber musician, soloist and teacher. The diversity of his activities reflects his versatile and resourceful nature. Historically informed performance practice is central to his identity and allows him to inhabit the music and communicate with audiences in dramatic, revelatory ways. He directs and appears as soloist with period ensembles as well as symphonic orchestras around the world, and has led several staged productions as well. From 2013 to 2023 he was artistic leader and concertmaster of the Netherlands Bach Society. Since 2011, he has closely worked with Concerto Koln, where he has been making noteworthy strides into the realm of the performance practice of the 19th century. Shunske has been a faculty member of the Amsterdam Conservatory since 2013.
Pianist Shuann Chai is a soloist and chamber musician who performs on a wide range of early to modern pianos, bringing the emotional content of music from the past to listeners in the present. Recognized by critics as "a graceful virtuoso" she has been praised for performances that are "sensitive and communicative,...full of warmth and emotion." Recent projects include an acclaimed new album of Schubert's Impromptus and early fugues (Extemporize, Cobra Records 2024); collaborations with the Dudok Quartet Amsterdam and performing in Japan, Taiwan, and throughout Europe. Shuann is frequently invited to give masterclasses and workshops, and is Professor of Piano at the Codarts University for the Arts in Rotterdam.
