BARTÓK; PROKOFIEV; YSAŸE Works for Solo Violin (Pietsch)
View record and artist detailsRecord and Artist Details
Composer or Director: Béla Bartók, Eugène (Auguste) Ysaÿe, Sergey Prokofiev
Genre:
Instrumental
Label: Audite
Magazine Review Date: 12/2018
Media Format: CD or Download
Media Runtime: 64
Mastering:
DDD
Catalogue Number: AUDITE97 758
Tracks:
Composition | Artist Credit |
---|---|
Sonata for Solo Violin |
Béla Bartók, Composer
Béla Bartók, Composer Franziska Pietsch, Violin |
Sonata for Violin |
Sergey Prokofiev, Composer
Franziska Pietsch, Violin Sergey Prokofiev, Composer |
(6) Sonatas for Solo Violin, Movement: No. 2 in A minor |
Eugène (Auguste) Ysaÿe, Composer
Eugène (Auguste) Ysaÿe, Composer Franziska Pietsch, Violin |
(6) Sonatas for Solo Violin, Movement: No. 3 in D minor (Ballade) |
Eugène (Auguste) Ysaÿe, Composer
Eugène (Auguste) Ysaÿe, Composer Franziska Pietsch, Violin |
Author: Rob Cowan
It’s fair to say that Bartók’s Sonata is the principal draw here but the second of Ysaÿe’s Solo Sonatas (dedicated to the great French violinist Jacques Thibaud) is also a work to reckon with, its opening ‘Obsession’ toying with Bach’s E major Prelude (Solo Partita No 3) while ghosting the ‘Dies irae’ chant, which dominates the rest of the piece. Again the cut and thrust of Pietsch’s playing makes a big impression, while the Bachian axis is nearly as evident in the single-movement Third Sonata, dedicated to that pre-eminent Bachian Georges Enescu. Here passion takes the upper hand and Pietsch never stints in that respect, nor in her masterful handling of chords.
Perhaps the lightest work on the programme is Prokofiev’s Solo Sonata which, as Norbert Hornig tells us in his useful booklet note, was composed in 1947 as an exercise in unison-playing for violin students. Of especial note is the folky third movement, where Pietsch focuses the spirit to perfection. Audite’s sound quality is extremely realistic so if the programme appeals, I wouldn’t hesitate. If it’s just the Bartók Sonata in digital sound you’re after then Pietsch is up there with Kelemen (Hungaroton, 5/13) and Ehnes (Chandos, 1/13), maybe even marginally more outspoken than either.
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