Brahms: The Three Violin Sonatas Andrew Wan & Charles Richard-Hamelin

• Johannes Brahms (1833 - 1897): Violin Sonata No. 1 in G Major, Op. 78:
• 1 Brahms: Violin Sonata No. 1 in G Major, Op. 78: I. Vivace ma non troppo 10:58
• 2 Brahms: Violin Sonata No. 1 in G Major, Op. 78: II. Adagio 07:58
• 3 Brahms: Violin Sonata No. 1 in G Major, Op. 78: III. Allegro molto moderato 08:22
• Violin Sonata No. 2 in A Major, Op. 100:
• 4 Brahms: Violin Sonata No. 2 in A Major, Op. 100: I. Allegro amabile 08:50
• 5 Brahms: Violin Sonata No. 2 in A Major, Op. 100: II. Andante tranquillo - Vivace 06:45
• 6 Brahms: Violin Sonata No. 2 in A Major, Op. 100: III. Allegretto grazioso (Quasi Andante) 05:24
• Violin Sonata No. 3 in D Minor, Op. 108:
• 7 Brahms: Violin Sonata No. 3 in D Minor, Op. 108: I. Allegro 08:12
• 8 Brahms: Violin Sonata No. 3 in D Minor, Op. 108: II. Adagio 04:32
• 9 Brahms: Violin Sonata No. 3 in D Minor, Op. 108: III. Un poco presto e con sentimento 03:02
• 10 Brahms: Violin Sonata No. 3 in D Minor, Op. 108: IV. Presto agitato 05:50
• Total Runtime 01:09:53

Info for Brahms: The Three Violin Sonatas

Andrew Wan, Concertmaster of the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal, and Charles Richard-Hamelin, internationally acclaimed pianist and silver medalist at the Chopin Competition, unite their artistic chemistry in a pinnacle of the Romantic repertoire.

Through Brahms’ three violin sonatas, they unfold a sweeping expressive arc: the intimate lyricism of Op. 78, the radiant warmth of Op. 100, and the dramatic intensity of Op. 108. Their interpretation combines depth, architectural balance, and controlled intensity, supported by a rich and resonant recorded sound. A landmark recording, at once noble, incandescent, and profoundly compelling.

Immerse yourself in the richness and intensity of Johannes Brahms’ works for violin and piano, performed by two internationally renowned virtuosos: Andrew Wan, Concertmaster of the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal, and Charles Richard-Hamelin, award-winning pianist at the prestigious Chopin Competition.

Acclaimed for their virtuosity, musical sensitivity, and interpretative precision, these two kindred artists deliver performances of remarkable depth. Their repertoire, spanning timeless classics to lesser-known gems of the violin-piano literature, reveals a perfect artistic harmony and refined elegance.

Having previously explored and recorded the complete sonatas of Beethoven and Schumann (Analekta / Outhere Music) – albums honored with an OPUS Award and a JUNO – the duo now presents Brahms’ three major sonatas. Bridging classicism and romanticism, this vibrant music blends lyrical tenderness with dramatic energy, brought to life through their exceptional musical chemistry. A truly outstanding duo!

Andrew Wan, violin
Charles Richard-Hamelin, piano

Andrew Wan
was named concertmaster of the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal (OSM) in 2008. As soloist, he has performed worldwide under conductors such as Vengerov, Petrenko, Labadie, Rizzi, Oundjian, Stern, and DePreist and has appeared in recitals with artists such as the Juilliard String Quartet, Repin, Hamelin, Trifonov, Pressler, Widmann, Ax, Ehnes, and Shaham.

His discography includes Grammy-nominated and Juno award-winning releases with the Seattle Chamber Music Society, the Metropolis Ensemble, and the New Orford String Quartet (NOSQ). In the fall of 2015, he released a live recording of all three Saint-Saëns violin concerti with the OSM and Kent Nagano under the Analekta label to wide critical acclaim, garnering an Opus Award and an ADISQ nomination.

Mr. Wan graduated from the Juilliard School with three degrees and is currently Assistant Professor of Violin at the Schulich School of Music at McGill University, Artistic Director of the OSM Chamber Soloists, Artistic Director of the Prince Edward County Chamber Music Festival, and Artistic Partner of the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra. Andrew Wan performs on a 1744 Michel’Angelo Bergonzi violin, and gratefully acknowledges its loan from the David Sela Collection.

Charles Richard-Hamelin
Silver medalist and laureate of the Krystian Zimerman award of the best sonata at the International Chopin Piano Competition in 2015, Charles Richard-Hamelin is standing out as one of the most important pianists of his generation.

He also won the second prize at the Montreal International Musical Competition and the third prize and special award for the best performance of a Beethoven sonata at the Seoul International Music Competition in South Korea. In April 2015, he was awarded the prestigious Career Development Award offered by the Women’s Musical Club of Toronto.

He has appeared in various prestigious festivals including the Prague Spring Festival, La Roque d’Anthéron in France, “Chopin and his Europe” Festival in Warsaw and the Lanaudière Festival in Canada. As a soloist, he has performed with various ensembles including the Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestre symphonique de Montréal, Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Poznan Philharmonic Orchestra, Beethoven Academy Orchestra, Orchestre Métropolitain de Montréal, OFUNAM (Mexico), Korean Symphony Orchestra and I Musici de Montréal.

Originally from Lanaudière in Québec, Charles Richard-Hamelin studied with Paul Surdulescu, Sara Laimon, Boris Berman and André Laplante. He obtained a bachelor’s degree in performance from McGill University in 2011 and a master’s degree from the Yale School of Music in 2013 and received full scholarships in both institutions.

He also completed an Artist Diploma program at the Conservatoire de musique et d’art dramatique de Montréal in 2016 and currently takes lessons on a regular basis with pianist Jean Saulnier. His first solo album, which features late works by Chopin, was released on the Analekta label in September 2015 and received widespread acclaim from critics throughout the world (Diapason, BBC Music Magazine, Le Devoir).

Booklet for Brahms: The Three Violin Sonatas