Viktoria Mullova and Alasdair Beatson

The celebrated collaboration between one of the greatest violin virtuosos in the world, Viktoria Mullova, and the superb Scottish pianist Alasdair Beatson comes to St George’s for the first time, as they continue to explore the enduring possibilities of Beethoven’s violin sonatas.

Viktoria Mullova violin
Alasdair Beatson piano

Beethoven Violin Sonata No 1
Violin Sonata No 5, Spring
Violin Sonata No 10

Tonight they perform No 1, brimming with energy and invention, the much-loved ‘Spring’ Sonata, which unfolds with radiant lyricism, and Sonata No 10, Beethoven’s final work for violin and piano: a masterpiece of profound intimacy and expressive depth.

“What stands out is the balance and ease of interplay between the two musicians. Their sunny performance of Op 30 No 1 has an effortless push and pull between moments of repose and passages of high energy.” Guardian

Viktoria and Alasdair first collaborated thanks to Viktoria’s husband – cellist Matthew Barley – who acted as musical matchmaker! He felt the two musicians would get on, with their shared passion for Beethoven and Schubert, and interests in stylistic and historically informed work.

Since they first toured together in 2019, they have continued their immersion in this repertoire through concert performances and four critically acclaimed recordings.

Alasdair says: “It is a constant inspiration for me working with Viktoria. She can capture a colour or an expression in her music with such incredible purity and depth, it seems to be revealed in its most distilled and honest form – be that the glorious human warmth of Beethoven’s Spring Sonata, or the tender fragility in the profound final sonata. And the excitement that she conjures in Beethoven’s energetic movements is truly an unbelievable thrill!”

Viktoria says: “It is pure joy to play with Alasdair. His music-making is like poetry, and he always inspires me with his beautiful unique interpretation.”