Ravel: Sonata for Violin & Cello

This new recording of Ravel’s works is performed by Julian Steckel (winner ECHO Klassik 2012, category “Newcomer of the year”), and includes the rarely played piece “Habanera”.

The young violinist Lena Neudauer captivated the critics with her first recording for Haenssler, Schumann’s Complete Works for Violin and Orchestra (HAEN93258), and on this new recording she tackles the incredibly demanding violin works of Maurice Ravel. Accompanied by Paul Rivinius (who is a critically acclaimed performer in his own right), Lena’s interpretation is wonderfully inspired.

In 1969 Gennady Rozhdestvensky married the brilliant pianist Viktoria Postnikova, who first shot to fame at the Leeds International Piano Competition; their son is the internationally acclaimed violinist Alexander, or Sasha, Rozhdestvensky. He has appeared at the Proms, the Barbican and the Festival Hall in London and has made well-regarded cds for both Delos and Chandos usually in Russian repertoire. Here he exhibits clear, precise, rhythmic refinement as free as it is polished.

Works for violin and cello are rare, but in the aftermath of World War I, a few rare composers rose brilliantly to the challenges posed by such a sparse ensemble. The four works on this CD are outstanding achievements in an era where classical music teetered between tradition and modernity.

In residence at Chapelle Musicale Reine Elisabeth and a fellow of the Royal Academy of Music in London, the Trio Dali has recently won First Prize at the Piano Trio Competition in Frankfurt.

Stunning young violin talent Kristian Winther makes his recording debut in the company of two of Australia’s finest young chamber musicians. Kristian Winther and Michelle Wood are first violin and cellist of one of Australia’s most exciting emerging ensembles, the acclaimed TinAlley String Quartet, winners of the 2007 Banff International Quartet Competition

An experienced soloist, chamber and orchestral player, Winther has a growing reputation as a performer who brings a contemporary freshness and vitality to established repertoire

Anthony Romaniuk is a pianist with a growing reputation in both the classical and jazz fields and is gaining considerable attention for his interpretations of core repertoire and as one of the most imaginative of a new generation of improvisers

Tzigane is the first of two Melba discs from Anthony Romaniuk - next spring will see the release of his telling new recording of Schubert’s Winterreise with tenor Steve Davislim

Michelle Wood is the cellist with the 2007 Banff Competition-winning TinAlley String Quartet and one of an exciting new generation of Australian musicians

The programme throws an illuminating spotlight on the French-born Ravel’s fascination with the musical traditions of other countries. It includes the ever-popular Tzigane, the Gershwin-influenced Second Violin Sonata, the gorgeous Pièce en forme de Habañera, the rarely heard and evocative Deux mélodies hébraïques as well as the unusual counterpoint of the Sonata for Violin and Cello