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Eugene
YSAYE (1858-1931) Six Sonatas for solo violin Op. 27 (1924): (No.
1 in G minor [15:22]; No. 2 in A minor [12:20]; No. 3 (‘Ballade’)
in D minor [6:36]; No. 4 in E minor [11:15]; No. 5 in G
major [8:45]; No. 6 in E major [6:59]) Poème élégiaque in D minor Op.12 (1892-93) [12:40] Rêve d’enfant Op.14 (1892-93) [3:46]
Philippe
Graffin (violin); Pascal Devoyon (piano)
rec. Channel Classics, Rensoude (Sonatas), Philipszaal Eindhoven
(other pieces), The Netherlands, January 1997. DDD
first released on CDA66940 HYPERION
HELIOS CDH55226 [78:30]
Ysaye
studied the violin in Paris in the tradition of the virtuoso
performers, such as Paganini. He was a self-taught composer,
mainly writing works for himself to play, including several
concertos. The great violinist Joachim announced “I've never
heard anybody play like that!” on first hearing him. He later
took lessons with Joachim, before becoming Konzertmeister
with the Brasserie Bilse Orchestra - later Berlin Philharmonic
Orchestra. He returned to Paris and was the dedicatee of
a number of works written for him by composers including
Franck, Debussy, Saint-Saëns and Chausson. He also formed
a string quartet, was given a post as Professor at Brussels
Conservatoire, and formed a concert society, for which he
conducted, and performed many premieres.
Ysaye
drew a great deal upon that greatest of composers, Bach,
and all six of his sonatas are testament to this. One can
hear the influence of Bach throughout the works – not just
in form and occasional actual musical reference, but also
in the beauty and simplicity of line. Each sonata was dedicated
to a younger violinist and was composed with his particular
style of playing in mind – Szigeti, Thibaud, Enescu, Kreisler,
Crickboom and Quiroga.
The
sonatas are here played superbly – and, indeed, virtuosically
- by Philippe Graffin. Graffin seems to draw out the connections
with Bach’s music, and I personally find these tributes to
Bach - and there is a particularly heavy allusion to Bach’s
third partita in the first two movements of Ysaye’s second
sonata - very moving. So, for me, the performers create a
powerful effect. They are convincing advocates of this music,
playing with passion, confidence and spirit. Just listen
to the fire and enthusiasm in Les Furies (last movement
of the second sonata) and the third sonata.
The
sonatas are followed by the Poème élégiaque - which
Ysaye later orchestrated. Graffin is here accompanied by
Pascal Devoyon. The work is exhilaratingly beautiful and
lyrical, the performance intense – superb! The disc concludes
with Rêve d'enfant. Ysaye dedicated this to his youngest
son Antoine. It is a tender lullaby - gorgeous music and
playing.
The
performances by Philippe Graffin are full of musicality and
understanding. He has not just an excellent technical ability
but a real love and comprehension of this music that shines
through. He is an excellent communicator.
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