The Strad feature: Father, son and Brahms: a family dialogue in sound

Violinist Mark Kaplan and pianist David Kaplan reflect on how a lifetime of shared listening – as father and son, and as equal musical partners – shapes their approach to Brahms’s sonatas, where trust, intuition and discovery take precedence over hierarchy

Excerpts from feature In The Strad Playing Hub

Photo Credit: Dario Acosta

On 19 June 2026, father-and-son duo violinist Mark Kaplan and pianist David Kaplan release their first album together, a recording of the Brahms Violin Sonatas (no.1-3) on Orchid Classics. The album highlights both musicians’ years of shared connection as musicians, and as father and son, through their joint exploration of three violin sonatas by Brahms.

The Kaplans represent a familiar story of musical lineage, with three generations of professional and amateur musicians charting their own paths. Chamber music, more than most other family pastimes and bonding experiences, was interwoven into the Kaplan family’s everyday life – particularly for Mark and David, who have performed together in various settings over the years.

The duo speaks with The Strad about the new album.

Read feature in The Strad here.

Listen to album on all streaming platforms here

Track List:

Johannes Brahms (1833-1897)

Violin Sonata No. 1 in G major, Op. 781

I Vivace ma non troppo 10.392

II Adagio 7.593

III Allegro molto moderato 8.55

Violin Sonata No. 2 in A major, Op. 1004

I Allegro amabile 8.275

II Andante tranquillo – Vivace 6.186

III Allegretto grazioso (quasi andante) 5.27

Violin Sonata No. 3 in D minor, Op. 1087

I Allegro 7.468

II Adagio 4.369

III Un poco presto e con sentimento 3.0310

IV Presto agitato 5.47

Mark Kaplan, violin

David Kaplan, piano