Carl Maria von Weber grew up with the expectation that he might become a second Mozart; his influential opera Der Freischütz remains a popular standard bearer for Classical clarity, melodic facility and orchestration. The Six Sonatas for Violin and Piano, Op. 10(b) were commissioned for the lucrative amateur market, but Weber’s more ambitious scores were rejected by his publisher for being “too good”. These compact and exciting Sonatas are amongst the most delightful examples of the period, with contrasting qualities ranging from lyrical elegies to cheerfully rhythmic dances.