Magnús Lyngdal Magnússon, ​Menning Morgunblaðsins
19 January 2026

'Top-Rank Artists'

​Violinist Sif Margrét Tulinius and pianist Richard Simm recorded 'Beethoven & Franck' in Reykjavik's 'Salurinn' Hall in July 2025, following the successful concert they gave there to a full house in June of the same year. For the recital I gave them a full five stars ranking under the title, 'Hugrekki' (Courage). On their new album, Sif Margrét and Richard play Franck's A Major Sonata and Beethoven's 'Kreutzer' Sonata.

César Franck (1822-90) presented his Sonata as a wedding gift to the Belgian violin virtuoso Eugène Ysaÿe in 1886, and it quickly became one of the cornerstones of violin literature. Both the violin and piano parts are sophisticated, as well as technically and interpretively demanding. Franck, originally an organist, had unusually large hands, but he does not appear to have taken into account that most pianists would therefore find it difficult to play exactly what he wrote!

Just as at their concert in 'Salurinn' in June 2025, both Sif Margrét's and Richard's playing of Franck on the album is highly convincing. One could mention the integrity of the long musical lines in their interpretation, while both performers produce a deep, powerful and singing tone.

The same applies to the performance of Sonata No. 9, Op. 47 ('Kreutzer') by Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827). His composing career is divided into three periods: the first until 1802, sometimes called his 'developmental' period, the middle period from 1802-1812, sometimes called 'heroic', and the last from 1812 until his death in March 1827. Beethoven wrote the 'Kreutzer' in 1803, which dates it from the first half of his 'heroic' period. It is not only the composer's longest violin sonata, but it is also probably the most technically difficult for the violinist and pianist. The Sonata strikes a new tone, whether in the sonata form of the first movement (Adagio sostenuto - Presto) or in the totally different second movement of the work (Andante con variazione), which is superbly played on the album, as in the concert.

'Beethoven & Franck' is the second album that Sif Margrét has recorded for label Ulysses Arts, and is a welcome addition to the instrumental music that we heard on the first album [De Lumine]. With their latest recording, Sif Margrét and Richard are confirmed as being among the top-rank of artists in the country, something long overdue.