Simon Smith / Clare Hayes / Paul Silverthorne / Katherine Jenkinson KODÁLY & DOHNÁNYI Chamber Works for Strings

CHAMBER WORKS FOR STRINGS

Trio Goldberg DE L'OMBRE À LA LUMIÈRE

The Goldberg Trio was founded when three key-members of the Monte Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra (Liza Kerob, Concertmaster - Federico Hood, Principal viola - Thierry Amadi, Principal cello), rich with the diversity of their respective cultural backgrounds, joined forces to create this dynamic and electric ensemble. The well-rehearsed string trios by Klein, Weinberg, Dohnányi and Cras are some of the most important and interesting contributions to the genre in the 20th century.

Valentina Tóth ERNÖ DOHNÁNYI Ruralia Hungarica - Humoresken in Form Einer Suite

Bartok, Kodaly and Erno Dohnanyi (who often used his German name Ernst von Dohnanyi) are the three great composers of twentieth-century Hungary. Dohnanyi’s piano music is both rooted in late Romanticism and is especially connected to Brahms and with Hungarian folk music. After a critically acclaimed disc devoted to Bartok and Kodaly, Valentina Toth performs works by the last composer of the great Hungarian triad. Valentina Toth remarks: “Although they were not musically trained, my parents taught me to love Bartok and Kodaly. I treasured their music from the time I was young, and only became acquainted with Dohnanyi’s work much later, when I came in contact with it by accident. It was romantic, virtuoso and incredibly well written for the instrument. What more can you ask as a concert pianist? And although he may only seem rather less distinctly Hungarian than Bartok, many aspects of his country are reflected in his work. I remember when I was working on the Ruralia hungarica, my father recognised many of the melodies from the songs he had learned as a boy.” As a composer, Dohnanyi, whose oeuvre mainly consists of piano music, deep in his heart always remained a musician grounded in nineteenth-century Romanticism. Dohnanyi wrote Ruralia hungarica in 1923 and gave it a real Hungarian touch by including a wide range of folk melodies in all movements. The Humoresken Op. 17 from 1907 date from when he taught in Berlin. They are basically romantic in nature and now and then reminiscent of Brahms’s piano music. As the name suggests, these are more or less light-hearted character pieces, in which he draws on musical forms from the eighteenth century. ”It is beautiful how Valentina Toth makes great art from this close to folk music leaning miniatures”. (Klara Radio)

Kavakos VIRTUOSO

Leonidas Kavakos, one of the world’s finest violinists, showcases virtuoso works for the violin: included on this album are some of the most exciting and challenging violin works ever written, alongside beautiful, lyrical encores.

Displaying a formidable technique to stunning effect, Leonidas Kavakos is heard here at his very best; his unique style stealing the show in a dazzling, wide-ranging progamme.

Features the devilish and highly demanding violin writing of Italian Paganini alongside the Spanish influences of De Falla and Tarrega, the Czech allure of Dvorak, the elegance of Britten and Elgar, and the Russian spirit of Tchaikovsky and Stravinsky

All the works expertly recorded here are associated with great players of the past – touring virtuosi travelling across Europe, looking to impress. On our European journey we hear flashy showpieces, tender romantic pieces, and everything in-between.

Leonidas Kavakos plays the Abergavenny Stradivarius of 1724 – a violin which itself will almost certainly have known legendary performances of these incredible works, and which sings here as if Kavakos was born to play them on this instrument

Known at the highest level for his virtuosity and superb musicianship, multiple award-winning Leonidas Kavakos has an enviable touring schedule playing with the world’s greatest orchestras and most outstanding chamber music partners; and an exclusive recording contract with Decca Classics. (Presto Classical)