Marieke Spaans, Anton Steck - Mozart - 6 Violin Sonatas K 301-306 (2006)

Apart from the inconvenient size of the packaging, this set of the Mozart Sonatas for Piano & Violin (so nice to see it listed correctly like this, instead of as "Violin Sonatas") is a real hit. Opening the package puts a wealth of information at the listener's fingertips; the very extensive liner notes are brilliantly written and provide a history not only of the works at hand, but also of the people, places, and events surrounding their composition. The CDs themselves contain equally informative interviews with the two musicians. While this recorded interview is presented only in German, there are French and English translations in the liner notes.
As for the performances themselves, they are even more pleasing than the written information. Performing on a period tangent piano, bow, and Baroque violin, Marieke Spaans and Anton Steck prove themselves to be scholars as well as artists. Though playing on period instruments, there's nothing timid or weak-sounding about either musician's playing. In fact, their interpretation brings a good bit more energy and gruffness to the table than many other period performances. The result is a collection that will leave listeners wishing Mozart had written many more sonatas for this duo to perform and record.