The Elegant Viola: Yizhak Schotten, Viola

Ralph Vaughan Williams; J.S. Bach; W.F. Bach; Michael Colgrass (Composer), Kirk Trevor (Conductor), Slovak Radio Orchestra (Orchestra), Yizhak Schotten (Viola); Carole Terry (Harpsichord); Frank Epstein (Percussion) (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Yizhak Schotten (Viola); Carole Terry (Harpsichord); Frank Epstein (Percussion)
• Orchestra: Slovak Radio Orchestra
• Conductor: Kirk Trevor
• Composer: Ralph Vaughan Williams; J.S. Bach; W.F. Bach; Michael Colgrass
• Audio CD (October 14, 2005)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Crystal Records CD837
• ASIN: B000BRF9QW
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #92,802 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #39 in Music > Classical > Instruments > Strings > Viola

Track Listings

1. Vaughan Williams: Suite for Viola and Orchestra: Prelude

2. Vaughan Williams: Suite for Viola and Orchestra: Carol

3. Vaughan Williams: Suite for Viola and Orchestra: Christmas Dance

4. Vaughan Williams: Suite for Viola and Orchestra: Ballad

5. Vaughan Williams: Suite for Viola and Orchestra: Moto Perpetuo

6. Vaughan Williams: Suite for Viola and Orchestra: Musette

7. Vaughan Williams: Suite for Viola and Orchestra: Polka Melancolique

8. Vaughan Williams: Suite for Viola and Orchestra: Galop

9. J.S. Bach (transcr. Z.Kodaly): Fantasia Cromatica

10. W.F. Bach: Sonata in C minor: Adagio e mesto

11. W.F. Bach: Sonata in C minor: Allegro non troppo

12. W.F. Bach: Sonata in C minor: Allegro scherzando

13. Colgrass: Variations for Four Drums and Viola

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Elegant playing indeed!, January 6, 2010

By 

Wave Wolf - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Elegant Viola: Yizhak Schotten, Viola (Audio CD)

I bought this CD for the M. Colgrass and R. Vaughn Williams works, which are hard to find recordings. I agree with reviewer Gene from Texas that the Colgrass is a piece you want to hear "just one more time"--especially if you are learning it yourself! Schotten's playing is truly elegant--refined sound, technically as close to perfection as is gets (!), and yet daringly exciting as the music requires. And his musical interpretation of the diverse styles is very satisfying. The performances of the orchestra, harpsichordist, and percussionist all contribute to the excellence of the music-making on this CD.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars From Lush to Lashing!, November 24, 2009

By 

Gene "Struggling Violist" (Texas) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Elegant Viola: Yizhak Schotten, Viola (Audio CD)

Mr. Schotten, violist, shows his strong talent from playing the lush Vaughan Williams to the lashing and spectacular Colgrass. The Vaughan Williams should please everyone because it is simply beautiful music played with understanding and emotion. The two Bach pieces show his expertise with the instrument, and then we get to the Colgrass Variations for Four Drums & Viola. There are times when the violist plays as percussive as the drummer and times when the soaring lines are beautifully rendered. The piece shows a great talent and musicality that not many violists have. It took a second listening to really appreciate this piece, but then I was hooked and listened to it more than the rest. As one learns the rhythms and melodies, it becomes very addictive and I wanted to hear it "just one more time". This CD covers a very wide range of musical types and therefore gives the listener a nice variety of styles. The percussionist, Frank Epstein, must be mentioned because he plays such intricate rhythms and different percussive sounds with total control and crispness that one has to be amazed at his great talent also. The Elegant Viola is a very nice addition to my collection.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars New to the viola, September 17, 2009

By 

CAB (Omaha, NE) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Elegant Viola: Yizhak Schotten, Viola (Audio CD)

As a newcomer to the viola, I really appreciate this cd. The Elegant Viola realy showcases the viola's range, versatility, and rich beauty. If you like the viola, this cd is definitely worth getting.