Duos from Marlboro Franz Schubert: Introduction and Variations on “Ihr Blümlein alle”, D. 802, Op. post. 160, (1824); Paula Robison, flute; Rudolf Serkin, piano; Sergei Prokofiev: Sonata for Two Violins in C Major, Op. 56 (1932); Daniel Phillips, Peter Zazofsky, violin; Leon Kirchner: Duo No. 2 (2001); Ida Levin, violin; Jeremy Denk, piano BRIDGE 9203 This collection of performances from the Marlboro Music Festival spans some thirty-five years. This recording of Schubert’s flute and piano duo on Trock’ne Blumen has only been issued previously on a long out of print Marlboro Recording Society LP. The performance (from 1968) features the young flautist, Paula Robison, matched with the legendary pianist, and then artistic director of Marlboro, Rudolf Serkin. Sergei Prokofiev’s Sonata for Two Violins, from a 1978 performance, matches two brilliant young violinists- Daniel Phillips and Peter Zazofsky. Phillips and Zazofsky went on to become members of the Orion and Muir String Quartets respectively, and are heard in a bracing reading of this minor masterpiece. The last work on this recording is the most recent- Leon Kirchner’s Duo No. 2 for violin and piano, in its premiere recording. Commissioned in memory of the violinist Felix Galimir, a major influence at Marlboro for over four decades, this impassioned composition! is given a reading of brilliant intensity by violinist Ida Levin and pianist Jeremy Denk. Composed shortly after the death of the composer’s wife, Duo No. 2 serves as a double memorial, and is a fine example of the work of one of America’s greatest living composers. The notes included with the disc include revelatory and poignant recollections from many of the participating musicians. Also available from Bridge Records: Marlboro Music Festival 50th Anniversary: BRIDGE 9108A/B (2 discs)
