Igor STRAVINSKY (1882 - 1971)
Suite after themes, fragments and pieces by Giambattista Pergolesi [18:08]
Divertimento [22:03]
Duo Concertante [16:48]
Chanson russe (Russian Maiden's Song) (Mavra) [3:36]
Danse russe (Petrushka) [2:41]
Ray Chen (violin); Timothy Young (piano)
rec. The Iwaki Auditorium, Southbank, Melbourne, Australia, 2010
MELBA CD MR 301128 [63:16] 
Melba established themselves as extremely daring when they issued the entire
Adelaide production of Wagner's Ring on SACD. This demonstrated the
very highest technical and presentational standards. This issue is not an
SACD, more's the pity, but it is beautifully produced. The notes are detailed,
literate and presented in a readable point-size. The background to this unusual
set of Stravinsky chamber works is thoroughly explored, the soloists' CVs
are included and it is all given in English, French and German. Not much is
said about the recording which is a pity because it would be good to know
more about such an excellent effort. The piano is perhaps too backwardly placed
but the sound overall has an ease and naturalness that others could learn
from. I suspect that the engineers did not use close miking on the piano and
that is the reason it sounds different from the norm. If a piano is miked
from almost inside the lid it will all be clear but utterly unreal. This CD
sounds as if it is in an acoustic and is worth turning up louder than usual
to achieve the best results. The Iwaki Auditorium in Melbourne http://www.abc.net.au/abcresourcehire/txt/s1547028.htm
is a small, well equipped modern hall used by the Melbourne orchestra as a
rehearsal venue and as an acoustic for small-scale concerts.
The music is the fruit of a lengthy collaboration between Stravinsky and the
Polish-American violinist Samuel Dushkin. The aim was the encourage Stravinsky
to write a violin concerto. The two musicians hit it off and so the composer
embarked on a series of compositions designed for himself and Dushkin to play
in recital and record together. Only one of these pieces was actually written
for violin and piano, the Duo Concertante. It is a serious and introverted
piece sometimes reminiscent of Apollo. Stravinsky allows his rhythmic
wit out to play, especially in the Gigue. All the remaining pieces are arrangements
from other works but this is never simply a matter of transcription. Stravinsky
always went back to his original ideas and re-composed them for the new instrumental
combination. This not only allowed the composer a chance to explore more of
the potential in the ideas. It also meant that each work could be viewed as
new, and publishable as such, all fitting with his lifelong preoccupation
with getting properly paid for his efforts. The Pergolesi Suite draws
upon Pulcinella which was itself published as a suite for orchestra
as well as in two versions for violin and piano. Oddly, given that this recording
explicitly refers to Stravinsky's partnership with Dushkin, the piece played
by Chen and Young was written for Paul Kochanski and is more virtuosic than
the well known Suite Italienne actually transcribed and recomposed
for Dushkin. The two pieces are obviously similar but not the same.
Likewise the Divertimento derives from the 45 minute long ballet The
Fairy's Kiss, itself based on themes by Tchaikovsky. The Divertimento
was composed first for orchestra and then for violin and piano. It includes
about half the original score in its four movements.
Chen has a distinct tendency to swoop between notes and I did wonder if some
of his tempi were a bit too slow. However, the ensemble between violin and
piano is so good and Chen's intonation so utterly reliable that I have to
assume the use of portamento not an affectation but interpretative.
I have not heard Stravinsky's and Dushkin's own recordings, except for the
Marche Chinoise available on You Tube and not included here, but it
may be Chen is intending to bring the flavour of 1930s playing style as befits
the works. Ray Chen is a superb musician capable of great virtuosity as well
as sensitivity. His partnership with Timothy Young provides a wonderful display
of unanimity through complex rhythms and Stravinskian jokes. It deserves a
wide audience.
Dave Billinge
An outstandingly well played and well recorded recital of enjoyable Stravinsky pieces. Another winner from Melba.