In general, the performances are wonderful, so these comments really refer to my subjective remarks regarding the compositions.

Nigun by Ernest Bloch
1- Deathly serious. Heavy, but sweet.

Sea Shell by Carl Engel
2 - Opens relieved, breezy, but softly steps into a tension which releases and reties again. Overall very gentle, but a little too sleepy.

Sonatine pour deux violons by Honegger
3 - 2 violins weave in and out, the opening brings the visual of a stunt biplane in full free fall, tumbling, smoke spiraling where the wings had been. Alive, vibrant. I like it! (What a big open and a beautiful finish!)
4 - Menacing, the violin harmonies are locked, then break into a more playful mood, while strangely dissonant at times. So locked, that in places the two violins sound like breaths through a harmonica or accordion.
5 - The violins duel. A screech in the first 30 seconds is followed by a more full guttural pull of wood. Love the build to the end, but most of this movement feels pointless.

Duo pour deux violons by Milhaud
6 - A more modern feeling. A balance between loose and meandering and then harmonic and tighter. Eventually becomes quite compelling.
7 - Love the big chords in the center of this movement. They're like a bedspread slowly dropping as if a parachute to the bed. But begins to squander itself and ends weak.
8 - Opens as meanderingly as 7 finished, but changes mood midway and becomes interesting. With a curious and intricate wind up.

Taniec z 'Harnasiow' by Szymanowski
9 - First few notes of the piano sound as if from a marimba, soft sensitive .... sweet ... minimalist.
10 - Big contrast. Notes hit with aggression, dissonant assertiveness. Modern, alive. Fun!

Sonata in D minor by Szymanowski
11 - Somewhat over dramatic, soapy but likeable, then goes long, drawn out. Lost interest. Boring. (The piano recording remains rather muddled during this piece.)
12 - Comes back alive, broken into sections, pizzicato -- a mini-piece in itself.
13 - Dreary start, like first movement, but then becomes dark dramatic, but alive and ends strong.

Disclaimer: (Some years ago I worked with Vincent Skowronski, and these days, I'm honored to count him among my friends.)

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Books by Author/Illustrator/Speaker Ross Anthony