Ysaye: Sonata for solo violin in E major, Op. 27 No. 6

Violinist Rachel Barton Pine, Cedille Records’ all-time best-selling artist, has created another rare — perhaps unique — contribution to the world’s CD catalog: an album of Spanish and Latin American music written solely for unaccompanied violin.

Capricho Latino, Ms. Pine’s 12th Cedille CD, offers eight world-premiere recordings: In addition to premieres of works by Roque Cordero, César Espejo, and José White, the CD brings first-time recordings of pieces composed or arranged for Ms. Pine by José Serebrier, Luis Jorge Gonzáles, and Jesús Florido; and two of her own arrangements.

The diverse program of virtuoso pieces draws from the late-Romantic period to the present day. Represented are composers from Argentina, Cuba, Panama, Spain, Uruguay, and Venezuela — plus works in a Spanish vein by Belgian and English composers. Inaugurating this musical journey is Ms. Pine’s virtuoso arrangement of Albéniz’s Asturias, which draws on both the familiar guitar version and the original but less-known piano score.

Zacharias delivers a truly stunning virtuoso performance and reinforces all of the media attention he has received to date.

Since his debut at the age of thirteen, George maintains a busy international performance career and has appeared as a soloist extensively throughout Greece and the UK, the US, Australia, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Poland, Romania, Spain and Switzerland, receiving the highest accolades from critics and audience. His discography for radio includes Paganini’s Concerto in D major and Britten’s Violin Concerto, as well as Ysaÿe’s complete set of Violin Sonatas. George has been the dedicatee, premier performer and recording artist of numerous contemporary compositions for violin.

"Bookending the evening was Greek violinist George Zacharias, nimbler fingered than a pickpocket. He opened with vintage Paganini, creating enough pizzicatos and staccatos to test anyone, even Paganini himself…always with his charming and haunting sound…" Observer, UK 10/7/07)

“Mr Zacharias’ performance had the audience nailed to their seats… utterly captivating and impeccable musical performance that proved yet again his quality as a great virtuoso… His three bedazzling encores commanded one more ecstatic standing ovation…” (Herald, Australia 20/11/2003)

“Violinist George Zacharias… bedazzled his audience and performed with unique virtuosity and sensibility… certainly a name to watch out for…” (Belgian State Radio broadcast, 17/7/2001)