The front cover of the booklet here refers to these works as sonatinas, while the notes and back cover have ''sonatas''. In fact they have been called both and, as the notes explain, the diminutive designation was bestowed on them by their publisher. The writer makes a case for the grander title, and indeed they are hardly slight, with the A minor and G minor lasting over 20 minutes and only the popular D major having something of the miniature about it. Furthermore, the minor mode of D385 and D408 (which here precede the D major) adds to one's feeling that these are not lightweight pieces.
Clearly this is also the view of Gidon Kremer and Oleg Maisenberg, who invest the first movement of the A minor work with a lilting melancholy, taking it slowly even for Allegro moderato and often lingering over expressive details longer than I would choose; however, this is better than applying pressure to the music and they mostly maintain momentum. Yet in their playing as a whole I feel that they aim to give these works a depth and drama that they do not altogether bear. Indeed, it is a touch mannered, and whether you find it excessively so must be a matter of taste. The same is true of this violinist's characteristic tone: for me, it has a certain thinness along with vibrant sweetness, although it is undoubtedly touching in its way. This said, the two artists are very well attuned, and Maisenberg is an admirable pianist. The recording is well balanced and very natural.'