Kaleidoscope

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Paul Huang is a gifted performer and impressive technician, whose skills are well showcased in this debut album. But though he’s darkly supple in even the most challenging of repertoire, there’s... — BBC Music Magazine, Christmas 2023, 4 out of 5 stars More…

Release Date: 6th Oct 2023
Catalogue No: V8088
Label: Naive
Length: 55 minutes

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Respighi: Violin Sonata in B minor

Work length24:41

$3.15

$4.05

Paul Huang (violin), Helen Huang (piano)

I. Moderato

Track length9:02

$1.05

$1.35

II. Andante espressivo

Track length8:03

$1.05

$1.35

III. Passacaglia. Allegro moderato ma energico

Track length7:36

$1.05

$1.35

Paganini: Cantabile for violin & piano / guitar in D major, Op. 17, MS 109

Work length3:33

$1.05

$1.35

Paul Huang (violin), Helen Huang (piano)

Saint-Saëns: Violin Sonata No. 1 in D minor, Op. 75

Work length22:23

$4.20

$5.40

Paul Huang (violin), Helen Huang (piano)

I. Allegro agitato

Track length7:02

$1.05

$1.35

II. Adagio

Track length5:34

$1.05

$1.35

III. Allegro moderato

Track length3:50

$1.05

$1.35

IV. Allegro molto

Track length5:57

$1.05

$1.35

Chopin: Nocturne No. 2 in E flat major, Op. 9 No. 2

Work length4:45

$1.05

$1.35

Paul Huang (violin), Helen Huang (piano)

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About

For his debut album, the violinist Paul Huang has chosen to spotlight the colour and poetry of his instrument in a kaleidoscopic recital of sonatas by Saint-Saëns, Respighi, Chopin and Paganini.

Paul Huang is undoubtedly a virtuoso. A graduate of the Juilliard School in New York, winner of the 2011 Young Concert Artists International Auditions, he is already renowned, and has been a guest at the most prestigious venues such as the Kennedy Center and the Lincoln Center.

The sonatas by Saint-Saëns and Respighi are also undeniably virtuosic, and among the most difficult works in the violin repertoire. But virtuosity is not the most important quality that Huang focuses on here: he was initially attracted to the instrument as a young boy for “its sonority and its wonderful lyric qualities.”

A subtle, refined violin - the legendary 1742 ‘ex-Wieniawski’ Guarneri del Gesù - ensures a variety of colour and contrast for this vibrant Romantic programme.

Paul Huang deploys a wide, generous palette of emotions bestowing a moving intimacy to Paganini’s famous Cantabile or Chopin’s Nocturne.

Respighi’s too little known sonata vibrates from the initial Moderato with velvety phrasing and controlled interiority, while the sonata by Saint-Saëns assumes the virtuosity of its last two movements with carefree beauty. “I often compare a great instrument to a great painter - its countless nuances enable him to create and recreate his art in countless ways. This is precisely what I feel when playing this violin,” says Paul Huang.

In the pianist Helen Huang, the young Taiwanese violinist has found an attentive partner who delicately enhances his textured playing. Their duets flourish in an atmosphere of confidence that has matured throughout their long collaboration and shared exacting and passionate zest for chamber music. “I would like this album to reflect my love of the violin,” concludes Paul Huang. It certainly does.

CD includes 24-page booklet.

Reviews

Christmas 2023

Paul Huang is a gifted performer and impressive technician, whose skills are well showcased in this debut album. But though he’s darkly supple in even the most challenging of repertoire, there’s a slight want of timbral variation – however elegant and beautiful.

Kaleidoscope

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