'The duo's elegant playing captures every nuance, from moments of wistful reflection to passages of dramatic intensity. The rhythmic energy never flags, while the emotional elements shine through with affecting directness.

Throughout, the chemistry between Steeves's sensitive piano accompaniments and Dahn's eloquent melodic lines remains captivating. Their rhythmic energy and emotional insight illuminate music that might elsewhere seem merely dutiful.'

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‘The first movement of the Schumann is marked 'with passionate expression’, and Dahn’s tone is certainly full and vibrant...The lilt of the second movement has real charm, and the alternating lightness and lyricism of the final rondo flow dexterously.’

'Such is the vastness of musical history that the potential to home in on snapshots can be both a blessing and a joy. That’s precisely what the Canadian-based Duo Concertante - violinist Nancy Dahn and pianist Timothy Steves - have achieved in recording an album that focuses on three Sonatas for Violin and Piano from the latter half of the 19th century: Schumann’s Sonata No 1 in A minor (1851), Amanda Maier’s B minor Sonata (1875), and César Franck’s A major Sonata (1886). Together these reflect the liberating spirit of late Romanticism, while separately they reveal three distinctive artistic creators: late Schumann at the point of declining mental health; a youthful Swedish-born Maier open to the hothouse inspiration of Leipzig; and Franck, fluidly inventive in his easeful maturity. Dahn and Steves exhibit a vital, affectionate partnership, their performances characterful and wholesome, Maier’s warm-hearted Sonata, in particular, an unexpected eye-opener.'