Customer Reviews

Chopin on Violin

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The recent release "Chopin on Violin" featuring Canadian violinist Catherine Manoukian is a masterpiece of the first-rate, both in inspiration and execution. This disc of all Chopin transcriptions for the violin, conceived of and commissioned by the artist herself, is a wonderful innovation to violin repertoire. Miss Manoukian, an extremely gifted individual who displays a unique musical as well as personal character throughout her recording, offers a welcome change to the bland debut-album-encore repertoire that has become an exhausted cliché during the last decade or so. The recording also neatly coincides with the 150th anniversary of Frédéric Chopin's death, to whom the artist dedicates her work. She cites in the liner notes that Chopin has been an important influence on the formation of her musical style. Indeed, the listener becomes mesmerised at the depth of her passion; it is a most heartfelt performance. This disc is highly recommendable. It is an excellent display of the power of genuine enthusiasm when coupled with such mature intellect - a rare accomplishment for an individual as young as Miss Manoukian.

This is certainly an excellent CD both in concept and performance.

The idea of collecting violin transcriptions of Chopin's pieces is wonderful (and original, too, I believe). These beautiful pieces are transcribed by the greatest musical minds and played caringly by Manoukian and Eguchi. Manoukian's tone is crisp yet sweet. The Cello sonata sounds like it was really intended for the Violin. Please also note the tasteful performance of two Nocturnes transcribed by Sarasate. The notes written by Manoukian are also very enjoyable.

I don't want to say much about the propriety of transcribing Chopin's solo piano works for violin and piano. In the case of the Nocturne in C# minor though, it cannot be a very great sin, I think, since Chopin himself composed it using material from two other works. And in this case my ear and my heart agree that the arrangement works wonderfully. Manoukian's intensely emotional phrasing and intonation take this beautiful piece places that the percussive sound of the piano doesn't. Her lines sing and soar and float until I find myself in tears from the sheer beauty of it.

While the C# minor Nocturne is, for me, the highlight of this recording, the other tracks are also satisfying. The playing of both Manoukian and Akira Eguchi, her accompanist, is excellent. The recorded sound is also just fine, well balanced and warm.

Chopin purists may object, but others who want to hear some beautiful Chopin sensitively played with different colours will treasure this fine recording.

With the exception that one or two of the selections do not blend well with the piano, this is an exceptionally good CD. Different, and thank heavens. Much of Chopin sounds better with strings, say about 65 percent. The critic who dislikes this probably never mismatches colors in his or her wardrobe, a style very chic.

Now don't get me wrong,Catherine Manoukian is a good violinist. Her tone is impressive and intonation is quite good, but her style is too cheesy, and she sort of makes things drag. I can understand what she's trying to achieve, but Chopin is not meant for violin. If it was, Chopin would have have written for it. Furthermore, Manoukian says something in her notes that a sensible violinist would not understand. "So would not a violin pierce more easily through the chords of its collaborator?" Now I don't even think she wrote that! It's a bit too complicated for me! I mean if Perlman played these he would transform them. But then, Perlman is not that dumb as to make a Cd with only Chopin on violin. Anyways, I think I was a bit harsh but I hope and I know that she will excel in the future if she already hasn't.