Guro Kleven Hagen / Marianna Shirinyan FAIT PLEURER LES SONGES

The pairing of Prokofiev’s first Sonata for Violin and Piano with Poulenc’s Violin Sonata form the core of the repertoire we wanted for this CD. Both sonatas are amongst the most beautiful, most brutal and emotive we know, and we have always had an enormous respect and love for these works. Although at first glance the works may seem an unusual combination, they have much in common, not just in their means of expression, but also in their background. Both sonatas were written as a reaction to the horrors the composers witnessed during the 2nd World War. 

Ravel’s sonata (op.post) was to some extent unknown to both of us at the point when we decided to record the Prokofiev and Poulenc. However, we immediately fell in love with it when we heard it for the first time. It is quite a contrast to the two sombre sonatas, with a youthful credulity and tenderness, and shows characteristics of being written by a young Ravel while Europe was still at peace. 

The choice of these three sonatas, written during two utterly different sets of circumstances, gives a natural “war and peace” theme to the CD. With this in mind, we chose the title “Fait pleurer les songes”, translated into Norwegian as “Får drømmene til å gråte” – “Makes dreams weep”. The title also reflects Poulenc’s violin sonata, where the 2nd movement has the subtitle “La guitare fait pleurer les songes” (the guitar makes dreams weep), taken from a poem by the Spanish poet Garcia Lorca. The sonata is dedicated to Lorca, who was murdered during the Spanish civil war. 

Dreams can be dissolved into tears during the horrors of war. In the same way, as in these three sonatas by Ravel, Poulenc and Prokofiev, music has the ability to make us daydream and to recall our tears and strong emotions. (Guro Kleven Hagen & Marianna Shirinyan)

Andreas Brantelid / Marianna Shirinyan / Vilde Frang CHOPIN Cello Sonata - Piano Trio - Grand Duo

It is grand to hear novice players so successfully take on three of Chopin's chamber pieces, the Cello Sonata, Piano Trio, and Grand Duo for cello and piano. There have certainly been great recordings of these works in the past -- one thinks immediately of those by Mstislav Rostropovich and Jacqueline du Pré -- but the energy, enthusiasm, and sincerity that cellist Andreas Brantelid, pianist Marianna Shirinyan, and violinist Vilde Frang bring to this music more than justifies preserving their performances. Brantelid has a big but nuanced tone, an elegant but impressive technique, and an obvious affinity for the music, and he is well-matched by Shirinyan's polished technique and empathic accompaniments and Frang's easy virtuosity and lyrical interpretation. The ensemble is poised but comfortable and the interpretations are cogent and compelling. Captured in close but smooth digital sound, these performances deserve to be heard by anyone who loves this music, or great chamber music playing. (James Leonard)