Stravinsky: Complete works for violin and piano

The title is something of a charming misnomer: only a few minutes of Igor Stravinsky’s all-encompassing output were originally scored for violin and piano. However, once he had made the acquaintance of the violinist Samuel Dushkin, his interest in this most Classical of chamber genres was piqued, and the two men worked closely to transform some of his most popular, melodic and balletic music into suites and miniatures that are no mere transcriptions but stand, witty and proud, in their own right.

Dushkin was suggested to Stravinsky as a possible performer for the premiere of his Violin Concerto. Stravinsky acceded, and found Dushkin to have ‘a musical culture, a delicate understanding, and – in the exercise of his profession – an abnegation that is very rare’ – qualities also to be appreciated in the deft approach of the Dutch violinist Isabelle van Keulen, complemented by the famously quirky originality of her partner here, the Finnish pianist Olli Mustonen.