ENESCU : Complete Works for Solo Piano • 1 (Josu De Solaun) (2016) FLAC (tracks), lossless

 

Tracklist & Credits :

ENESCU : Complete Works for Solo Piano • 2 (Josu De Solaun) (2016) FLAC (tracks), lossless

 Tracklist & Credits :

ENESCU : Complete Works for Solo Piano • 3 (Josu De Solaun) (2016) FLAC (tracks), lossless

 Tracklist & Credits :

MARTINU • KODÁLY • DOHNÁNYI • JOACHIM • ENESCU : Music for Viola and Piano (Bradley-Hewitt) (2011) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

From the end of the 19th century and onward, the frequency with which prominent composers were found writing for the viola increased dramatically. This phenomenon was seen around the world as the instrument's deep, resonate sound fell more into favor and virtuosos became more commonplace. This Naxos album focuses on viola works to emerge from Hungary. From this country, composers often fell into two camps. The first were those who adopted the popular late-Romantic, German idiom; here, this is represented by the Joachim Op. 9 Hebrew Melodies and the Dohnányi Op. 21 Sonata in an arrangement by performer Sarah-Jane Bradley. (Dohnányi himself had played an arrangement of the piece with violist Lionel Tertis). Countering these highly lyrical compositions are those from composers who sought to develop a more nationalistic musical idiom and include the Martinu Sonata, H. 355, the Kodály Adagio, and the Enescu Concertstück. Bradley's program is not only well thought out and diverse, but demonstrates the viola's abilities both as a virtuosic instrument and one capable of delivering beautiful melodic lines. Joined by pianist Anthony Hewitt, Bradley's performances are admirable in many respects. Her playing is very calm and restrained; there are no moments when listeners are left gasping for air as the violist strains for large shifts or to make it to the end of difficult passagework. Her intonation is generally solid, her tone is warm and even across the range of her instrument. On the downside, her sound is not exceptionally big. Hewitt's playing is quite accommodating in this respect so the piano never actually obscures Bradley's playing, but there is a notable lack of any big, forte sound, or a wide dynamic range. by Mike D. Brownell  

GEORGE ENESCU : Complete Works for Violin, Viola and Piano (Breuninger-Duis) 2CD (2010) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Though he was heralded by some as being the Mozart of his day, much of the music of George Enescu goes criminally underplayed in modern concert halls. His compositional endeavors extended from very early in his life to the very end, producing works in nearly every popular genre. As a composition student, he studied with Fauré and Massenet, whose influence is clearly heard in his early works. At his heart, Enescu was also a virtuoso violinist. But unlike other virtuoso composers of his day, Enescu's works for his own instrument were never virtuosic for the sake of being showy. Rather, Enescu's considerable skills on his instrument were used as a method to communicate his rapidly developing musical ideals, particularly the Romanian and Gypsy folk music idioms. This Telos two-disc set incorporates the complete works for violin/viola and piano, of which only the Third Violin Sonata is today played with any regular frequency. Performing these dazzling, thrilling works is violinist/violist Laurent Albrecht Breuninger and pianist Thomas Duis. Both of these musicians have a clear understanding of Enescu's writing and the sophisticated development of a unique melodic and harmonic development that the composer underwent from the First Violin Sonata to the Third. Like Enescu's writing, Breuninger's playing is not flashy for the sake of showmanship, but he still brings to the table an impressively polished, confident technique. His clear and precise playing allows listeners to focus on Enescu's musical intentions rather than technical considerations. Balance between piano and violin is quite nice, and Telos' sound allows the clarity of the duo's playing to shine through. This set makes an ideal addition to any collection.
Tracklist 1 :
Sonate No. 1 D-Dur, Op. 2, für Violine & Klavier
Tracklist 2 :
Sonate No. 2 f-Moll, Op. 6, für Violine & Klavier
Sonate No. 3 a-Moll, Op. 25, für Violine & Klavier