During his long and prolific career as a composer, Joseph Jongen had the pleasure of working alongside Lionel Tertis and Maurice Vieux, two of the most important viola figures of the 20th century. He gave concerts with the former during his exile in London and composed for the latter after he became Director of the Brussels Conservatory. The composer left behind him an extremely rich and qualitative solo repertoire for viola players.
Nathan Braude, the winner of the 11th Johannes Brahms Competition, laureate of the Juventus Festival in France and first soloist of the Brussels Philharmonic Orchestra led by Michel Tabachnik, brings some of his most striking pieces to life on this album. Jean-Claude Vanden Eynden, one of Belgium’s most talented pianists, contributes to it further with two spectacular piano solos also composed by Jongen.
Allegro Appassionato For Viola And Piano, Op. 79
Introduction & Danse For Viola And Piano, Op. 102
Concertino For Viola And Piano, Op. 111
Etude De Concert No. 2 For Piano Solo, Op. 65
Suite For Viola And Piano, Op. 48: I. Poème Élégiaque
Suite For Viola And Piano, Op. 48: II. Final
Soleil À Midi For Piano Solo, Op. 33/1
Andante Espressivo For Viola And Piano
Joseph Jongen: Introduction et danse, Op. 102
Introduction et danse, Op. 102
Joseph Jongen: Concertino, Op. 111
Concertino, Op. 111
Joseph Jongen: Etude de concert No. 2, Op. 65
Etude de concert No. 2, Op. 65
Joseph Jongen: Suite, Op. 48 (version for viola and piano)
I. Poeme elegiaque
II. Final
Joseph Jongen: 2 Pieces for Piano, Op. 33
2 Pieces for Piano, Op. 33: No. 2. Soleil a midi
Joseph Jongen: Andante espressivo
Andante espressivo
June 2012
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“this Belgian master's music has been kept passionately alive by devotees such as the performers here...Nathan Braude knows when to give full rein to his richly nuanced tone and when to nudge the music along, sensitively partnered by Jean-Claude Vanden Eynden. Finely judged, stylish performances.”
Click on any of the works listed above for alternative recordings.
Allegro Appassionato For Viola And Piano, Op. 79