Eugène Ysaÿe – Violin Discoveries
Belgian violinist, conductor and composer Eugène Ysaÿe (1858–1931) has been recognized as one of the greatest violin virtuosos of the 19th and early 20th centuries; regarded as the “King of the Violin” by Nathan Milstein, his legacy has inspired generations of musicians. Ysaÿe was also a true avant-garde composer whose works feature revolutionary modern violin technique, unique expressive devices, profound musicality and harmonic originality, which eventually served as the bridge between the era of the Romantic virtuoso and contemporary music. It is odd, then, to realise that many of his works remain unknown, unpublished and unrecorded. This album presents for the first time several works for violin and piano ranging from 1885 to 1924, and a previously unknown Violin Concerto in G minor from 1910, which was orchestrated by Sabin Pautza.
Romanian violinist Sherban Lupu is internationally known; he studied in London with Yehudi Menuhin and other leading teachers and has a very busy career, being best known for his discovery, publication and performance of the music of Enescu, but also has held prestigious posts in Italy and Romania and as concertmaster of San Francisco Opera, USA. He is accompanied here by the bright young pianist Henri Bonamy (who was Professor of Piano in Seoul, Korea and now teaches in Munich) and the fine orchestra of Liepāja, Latvia. The conductor is Paul Mann who has made a name recently with many recordings for Toccata Classics.
Track Listing
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Eugène Ysaÿe (1858-1931):
- Scènes Sentimentales - No. 3 Allegro appassionato (6:15)
- Scènes Sentimentales - No. 5 Moderato (5:23)
- Élégie (5:11)
- Trois Études-Poèmes - No. 1 Serenade (4:25)
- Trois Études-Poèmes - No. 2 Au ruisseau (3:57)
- Trois Études-Poèmes - No. 3 Cara memoria (11:49)
- Petite fantaisie romantique (5:06)
- Violin Concerto in G minor (25:08)
Reviews
“This quality programme [is] a delightful album that showcases the range and virtuosity of Ysaÿe, with violinist Sherban Lupu a specialist in his work. All but one track is a world premiere recording and it’s well worth buying.
” —Jeremy Condliffe
“Lupu is remarkable here—nay, inspired. Every single piece is of great caliber, and Lupu gives each piece its all. His advocacy is never once in doubt. This is an unmissable. Without doubt, a most important recording.
” —Colin Clarke
“Romanian violinist Sherban Lupu possesses both the technique and the musicality to make this disc a success. It is an important addition to the discography of the famous Belgian violin virtuoso and composer.
” —Henry Fogel
“It would be hard to overstate the importance of this release. Sherban Lupu has gotten rave reviews on these pages, and the same technical skill, interpretive sensitivity, and exploratory commitment are on display here, with knowing support from Henri Bonamy. Paul Mann gets solid playing from the Liepaja Symphony; and Divine Art’s engineering leaves no grounds for complaint. All in all, a significant release.
” —Peter J. Rabinowitz
“This is a most valuable and welcome release. Sherban Lupu’s committed and musical performances are more than sufficient to allow enjoyment and appreciation of these welcome Ysaÿe discoveries. Lupu is ably partnered by pianist Henri Bonamy and, in the concerto, by the Liepaja Symphony Orchestra and conductor Paul Mann.
” —Ken Meltzer
“This is an important release which all fans of the Franco-Belgian violin school should hear. Everything I’ve heard convinces me that Ysaÿe is a composer of stature. The concerto in particular is a startling discovery which will be of interest to violinists everywhere.
” —Michael De Sapio
“[Lupu’s] understanding of Ysaÿe’s idiom is total. Bonamy is a sensitive partner and the sound is good.
” —Tully Potter
“This latest release from Romanian violinist Sherban Lupu whets my appetite for Ysaÿe’s compositions still further. Both the work and interpretation hold the attention. The technical demands made of double-stopping are dispatched with ease by Lupu, whilst Bonamy doesn’t neglect his piano’s tone even in forte. The recordings, made in Romania (duo pieces) and Latvia (concerto) serve the music well to capture the sense of urgency these performances deliver to reveal new aspects of Ysaÿe’s writing for the violin.
” —Evan Dickerson
“A new Divine Art CD featuring Sherban Lupu playing music by Eugène Ysaÿe is a fine example of works whose near-total obscurity is difficult to understand. Lupu plays the concerto with real panache, and Paul Mann provides sure-handed support – just as pianist Henri Bonamy does for the remainder of the pieces heard here. This CD is a remarkably engaging exploration of some byways of the violin’s past.
” —Mark J, Estren
“This is a valuable disc that, in its presentation of so many ‘discoveries’, offers insights into Ysaÿe’s compositional directions over four decades.
” —Jonathan Woolf
“Lupu must be congratulated for resuscitating these pieces and bringing them to life in a manner that almost sounds like the composer himself playing them. A truly stupendous achievement, recommended to all lovers of Ysaÿe’s sonatas.
” —Lynn René Bayley
“Maestri Lupu, Bonamy and Mann deliver stylish, elegant, and often virtuosic performances of Ysaÿe’s music.
” —Rafael de Acha
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