Ernst von Dohnanyi, Edward Elgar, Sonata Per Violine E Pianoforte Op.21, Sonata Per Violino E Pianoforte Op. 82

This recording was released on the Italian label PDU, a venture famously associated with the singer Mina. Produced during the label's active period of cataloging European classical performances, this disc features violinist Oliver Colbentson and pianist Erich Appel. The selection pairs Ernst von Dohnányi’s Sonata in C-sharp minor, Op. 21, with Edward Elgar’s late-career masterpiece, the Sonata in E minor, Op. 82, reflecting a mid-20th-century interest in bridging late Romantic traditions with the more introspective chamber compositions of the early 20th century.

The technical approach by Colbentson and Appel is representative of the focused, disciplined performance style common to chamber music recordings of the era. The album stands as a distinct entry in the PDU classical series, which sought to bring high-fidelity interpretations of complex sonata literature to a discerning audience. While the duo was well-regarded within academic and concert circles for their dedication to technical precision, this specific release remains a sought-after rarity for collectors of PDU’s boutique classical output.