Work: Piano Sonata no. 2 in A major, Op.2 no.2

Olli Mustonen’s playing never permits a passive response. One can enthusiastically nod or one can profusely object, but the listener is asked to take a side and react.

The hour-long recital proved again what a wonderful Beethoven interpreter Emanuel Ax is.

The Welsh pianist Llŷr Williams, in sync with an appreciative audience, offers Beethoven both lyrical and profound.