Kahn, Robert: The Works for Violin & Piano - Vahala, Elina

New Music by Robert Kahn

Our release of absolutely delightful piano trios by Robert Kahn earned this appraisal from klassik-heute: »His music has substance, catchy and noble melodic invention is always present, his mastery of the musical craft is beyond question, and yet it is not didactically academic.« Now we are releasing this Mannheim native's works for violin and piano. In harmony Kahn always remained true to the example set by Brahms and to tonality – no matter the trends of the times. He was a musical lyricist by birth and a highly imaginative melodist. His works for violin and piano, released here for the first time and in some cases performed from manuscripts, produce a nuanced picture while making a persuasive case for the reception of his oeuvre, which like so much other music met with double neglect: the Nazis prohibited it, and after 1945 those who believed there was no salvation outside the avant-garde held it in disdain. Kahn's three great violin sonatas and his virtuosic character pieces often surprise us with their individual and rhythmic energy, and the piano sometimes transcends its accompaniment function for more passionate impulses – but without permanently eliminating the intimate atmosphere.