Video premiere: Beethoven Violin Sonata no.10 with a rare 19th-century piano

Violinist Daniel Kurganov and pianist Constantine Finehouse perform the first movement of Beethoven’s Violin Sonata no.10. Finehouse performs on an historic and original 1886 Chickering nine foot concert grand piano.

Following the performance is an interview with Christopher Greenleaf. Greenleaf is the producer of the video, piano expert and artistic director of the La Grua Center in Connecticut. He discusses the history of instruments from the 19th century, what makes them different, and the unique story behind this particular piano.

On what sets the piano apart from modern instruments, Greenleaf says, ’The instrument has a degree of colour and control over dynamics and shadings that are simply not demanded of pianos today’.