Kreutzer Sonata

Tolstoy wrote about the unsettling first movement in his novella “The Kreutzer Sonata,” whose protagonist, after hearing his wife play the piece with her violin teacher, stabs her to death in a jealous rage.

This biracial violinist had recently arrived in Vienna, and inspired one of Beethoven’s most famous and passionate pieces, the “Kreutzer” Sonata.

It’s unknown if Bridgetower ever played the “Kreutzer” Sonata again, or if he was in contact with Beethoven after their rift.

I was reminded of “The Kreutzer Sonata,” in which Tolstoy says: “It’s really quite remarkable how complete the illusion is that beauty is the same as goodness.”

Few pieces showcase Ms. Argerich’s playing as brazenly as the passionate “Kreutzer” Sonata.