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CLASSICAL CD REVIEWS: Accomplished violinists try their hands at Beethoven pairing

What are the odds that two releases with this unprecedented (but logical) coupling, both so interesting, should come along the same month?

Isabelle Faust, fast becoming one of the world's most interesting violinists, takes a stylish approach to these two masterpieces, informed by period insights but basically modern. Vadim Repin, now attaining the patina of middle-aged master in this label debut, exhibits an unreconstructed and unashamed old-fashioned heroism.

Ms. Faust, accompanied by the Prague Philharmonic under Jiri Behlohlavek (once a frequent Dallas Symphony guest), gives the Violin Concerto one of its most interesting performances ever. Certainly it's my current favorite. She marches through the first movement at a relatively rapid pace, but doesn't stint on delicacy in all those filigrees. Beethoven wrote no cadenzas for the violin in this work, but he did create some for the piano adaptation he made. Ms. Faust reworks those and turns them into a personal triumph. You may never want to hear any other cadenza after you hear her tear through this one, with its timpani accompaniment.

She's also spiritual and heartfelt in the quasi-religious Adagio – but that's where Mr. Repin comes into his own in a deeply moving performance. The Vienna Philharmonic under Riccardo Muti plays the first movement for grandeur and majesty. Mr. Repin contributes a very detailed commentary on his fiddle, but it's all rather slow by modern standards. In the finale, Mr. Repin is playful, but Ms. Faust builds up more momentum.

The Kreutzer Sonata, arguably the first work Beethoven wrote to reveal his full stature, finds Mr. Repin paired with the world's most legendary pianist, Martha Argerich. If he lets her take the lead in this fiery performance, that's understandable. The team also gives the variations more weight than usual, making them look forward to much later Beethoven.

Ms. Faust, with her wonderful duet partner Alexander Melnikov, is more subdued and thoughtful, but this is also a first-class Kreutzer.