French Impressions

Camille Saint-Saëns (Composer), Maurice Ravel (Composer), César Franck (Composer), Joshua Bell (Performer), Jeremy Denk (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Joshua Bell, Jeremy Denk
• Composer: Camille Saint-Saëns, Maurice Ravel, César Franck
• Audio CD (January 10, 2012)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: SONY MASTERWORKS
• ASIN: B0067YF4Z4
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #216 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #6 in Music > Classical > Chamber Music > By Period > Classical (c.1770-1830)
  • #6 in Music > Classical > Historical Periods > Classical (c.1770-1830) > Forms & Genres
  • #8 in Music > World Music

Track Listings

1. Sonata No. 1 for Violin and Piano in D minor, Op. 75; Allegro agitato

2. Sonata No. 1 for Violin and Piano in D minor, Op. 75; Adagio

3. Sonata No. 1 for Violin and Piano in D minor, Op. 75; Allegretto moderato

4. Sonata No. 1 for Violin and Piano in D minor, Op. 75; Allegro molto

5. Violin Sonata in A Major (1886); Allegretto ben moderato

6. Violin Sonata in A Major (1886); Allegro

7. Violin Sonata in A Major (1886); Recitativo - Fantasia: ben moderato - molto lento

8. Violin Sonata in A Major (1886); Allegretto poco mosso

9. Sonata for Violin and Piano (1927); Allegretto

10. Sonata for Violin and Piano (1927); Blues: Moderato

11. Sonata for Violin and Piano (1927); Perpetuum Mobile: Allegro

Editorial Reviews

French Impressions, Joshua Bell's first recital program for Sony Classical features the Grammy Award-winning violinist and his longtime friend and recital partner, pianist Jeremy Denk, offering a passionately nuanced interpretation of works by Saint-Saens, Ravel and Franck. Says Bell, "French Impressions is the culmination of my last decade of exploration and performance with pianist Jeremy Denk, and I hope that with this recording we can affect the listener with the same joy and spiritual enrichment that these masterpieces have provided us over the years."

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Joshua Bell and Jeremy Denk: A Lasting Collaboration, January 10, 2012

By 

Grady Harp (Los Angeles, CA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: French Impressions (Audio CD)

Both Joshua Bell, violin, and Jeremy Denk, piano, are enjoying brilliant careers in solo recitals and with orchestras and chamber ensembles around the world. Their relationship began in 2004 when they first joined mind and hands for making music. Now seven years later they continue to perform together whenever their busy careers allow. This recording captures three of heir favorite and most frequently performed works. All three are from the French Impressionists (actually Cesar Franck is from Belgium, but spent most of his creative live in France): Camille Saint-Saëns Sonata No. 1, Cesar Franck Violin Sonata in A Major, and Maurice Ravel Sonata for Violin and Piano.

To say that the beauty of their sound is the epitome of violin and piano music making is redundant. The degree of interplay and communication gives evidence of the innate musicality of both these young men is mysteriously in sync, even more so than knowing that they have performed together for so many years. As has been written regarding the liner notes of this recording , 'the fine pianist Jeremy Denk manages to encapsulate the elusiveness of French romantic music with such insight in a few sharp sentences, his words almost shape the way we listen to this superbly played disc.' Critics from England are saying 'Saint-Saëns' wistful and emotional Sonata No 1 and Ravel's bluesy, ironic sonata have a whipped, airy quality. Joshua Bell plays with fire and finesse, with Denk a powerful ally. Franck's dark-light violin sonata, mysterious, ardent and far more than the sum of its parts when played as majestically as here, forms the centerpiece of this seriously beguiling album.'

Of all the new recording issued thus far this year this CD, FRENCH IMPRESSIONS, with the combined allure of Joshua Bell and Jeremy Denk, is one of the very finest. Grady Harp, January 12

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars JOSHUA BELL & JEREMY DENK: A WONDERFUL DUO PLAYS BEAUTIFUL MUSIC BY BRILLIANT FRENCH COMPOSERS, January 10, 2012

By 

RBSProds "rbsprods" (Deep in the heart of Texas) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: French Impressions (Audio CD)

Five IMPRESSIONISTIC Stars!! Classical virtuosos Joshua Bell and Jeremy Denk are a superbly-paired and dynamic duo! Seven years into their musical association, this formidable duo has decided to do a grouping of pieces they have played many times in concert. These represent some of the most "profound statements" of the chosen French composers. While the more familiar and challenging César Franck Violin Sonata in A Major (especially the intense Allegretto poco mosso movement) and the well known Maurice Ravel Sonata for Violin and Piano (especially the full-tilt Perpetuum Mobile: Allegro movement) receive glorious performances by Mr. Bell and Dr. Denk, the 'best of the best' is the less familiar Camille Saint-Saëns Sonata No. 1 for Violin and Piano in D Minor, Opus 75: a piece the duo has played "50 times or more" and the familiarity, understanding, and matched duo nuances are clearly on demonstration here (especially the thrilling Allegro Agitato, the Adagio, and perhaps best of all, the awesome Allegro molto movement). These are inspired performances by two superb musicians on a singular musical mission that receive My Highest Recommendation. Five DAZZLING Stars! (This review is based on an mp3 download. 11 tracks; Time 67:21.)

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars So very passionate and effervescent, January 22, 2012

By 

GEORGE RANNIE "GWRJWMCL" (DENVER, COLORADO United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: French Impressions (Audio CD)

Joshua Bell and Jeremy Denk play the violin sonatas by Saint-Saens (#1 in D minor), Franck and Ravel (really Ravel's second-- the 1st is in one movement and it was published after his death) with so much passion that while I listened to this very fine recording by two great musicians of the violin and of the piano the word effervescent kept running through my head in trying for an apt description of the performances on this disc.

I really enjoyed this recording of works that I have heard often. This is truly an outstanding recording of some wonderful compositions for violin and piano. The playing of Bell(no matter the color of his hair--see another reviewer's comment) and Denk is spectacular plus the recorded sound is so very good.