Prokofiev: Violin Sonata No. 2 in D major, Op. 94a

On their fourth Challenge Classics recording, the highly successful Dutch duo of Isabelle van Keulen and Ronald Brautigam perform the complete works for violin and piano by Sergei Prokofiev. The pieces are the Sonata in F minor opus 80, the Sonata in D major opus 94, and the Five Melodies opus 35a.

Prokofiev only produced three works for the combination of violin and piano, two of which are transcriptions by the composer himself. The Second Sonata was originally written for flute and piano while the Five Melodies are song arrangements. The opus numbers and titles of both sonatas are misleading since the D major Sonata opus 94 had its premiere before the opus 80 Sonata in F minor.

Isabelle van Keulen has an established reputation as a violinist and violist of world class stature. She is closely involved in the performance of contemporary music, and works by living composers are part of her repertoire. Though she has performed with many famous orchestras and conductors as a soloist, chamber music is central to her music-making. She is particularly well-known for her formidable duo with pianist Ronald Brautigam and they appear together regularly at the Wigmore Hall in London.

Ronald Brautigam is one of Holland’s leading musicians. Over the last few years he has released several recordings with Isabelle van Keulen on Challenge Classics including CDs featuring Shostakovich’s Violin and Viola Sonatas (CC72071), Violin Sonatas by Richard Strauss, Respighi and Rota (CC72307), and music for violin and piano by Grieg, Elgar, and Sibelius (CC72171).

Ruggiero Ricci has enjoyed a variegated and colourful discography on Decca and these recordings, are, apart from Prokofiev’s Second Violin Sonata, all comprised of music for solo violin. The Bach pieces date from 1957 London sessions and the 20th-century pieces were recorded three years later at Victoria Hall in Geneva. Tully Potter’s perceptive liner notes include material from an interview with the violinist, who offers interesting perspective on recording venues and corrects an error in the Decca discographical information about the recording of the Prokofiev Second Violin Sonata with Bussotti, which was recorded at his home in New Jersey. It makes its first release on CD, while several of the solo works are released internationally on CD for the first time.

[Prokofiev] “Ricci’s intonation is faultless throughout (which is more than can be said of many fiddlers), his tone is sweet and warm, and his technique carries him without a qualm over the most taxing difficulties… [His] elegance stands him in good stead in the Prokofiev, where his partner at the piano also distinguishes himself by some most artistic leggiero playing. The toy-like Scherzo could scarcely be bettered by any other violin-and-piano team.” Gramophone

This new release from the Polish label DUX features a selection of pieces that are perfect examples of blending technical brilliance and ideas from composers who were great personalities of their time. The exciting programme is brought together by two rising stars who both studied at the Royal Academy of Music. Jarosław Nadrzycki, has toured extensively, with visits to Cadogan Hall, St.John’s Smith Square and Wigmore Hall.

Tadashi Imai is no stranger to the UK either, having played at the Halifax Chamber Music Festival for Young Musicians and the Messiaen Festival (broadcast by BBC Radio 3’s ‘In Tune’).

The young violinist Benjamin Beilman was the winner of the First Prize of the 2010 Montreal International Musical Competition. He is rapidly gaining attention for his “impeccable” playing and “eloquence and flair”. MusicalAmerica.com

Violinist Augustin Hadelich follows his sensational Avie debut, 'Flying Solo', with 'Echoes of Paris', his first chamber disc, accompanied by Robert Kulek.

Augustin Hadelich’s sensational debut on Avie Records, 'Flying Solo' (AV2180), helped catapult him from a highly respected and acclaimed position in the classical music world, into an ever-widening and adoring circle of fans who helped drive the album into the Billboard Classical Chart. Alongside major debuts with the likes of the Cleveland Orchestra and the New York Philharmonic, his UK debut at the Sage Gateshead and return performances with the Los Angeles Philharmonic and Indianapolis Symphony, major feature coverage in The New Yorker, The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times and more has propelled Augustin’s media profile to an all-time high.

'Echoes of Paris' is Augustin’s first chamber recording and casts intriguing connections between Frenchmen Debussy and Poulenc and Russians Prokofiev and Stravinsky, who both flocked to Paris and were heavily influenced by the city’s electric atmosphere and cultural scene. Augustin comments, “I have chosen the four works on this album primarily because they fit so well together … the ‘echoes of Paris’ that tie them together include puppetry, percussion, marches and jazz references.”

Above all it is Augustin’s riveting performance of these striking 20th century works that will captivate consumers and continue to broaden his outstanding reputation far and wide.

Prokofiev composed two Sonatas for violin and piano, the better known of which is unquestionably the Sonata No.2 in D Major opus 94a.