Rubinstein Sonatas [SINGLE]

Nokuthula Ngwenyama: viola and violin;Jennifer Lim: piano (Artist), Anton Grigoryevich Rubinstein (Composer), n/a (Conductor), Nokuthula Ngwenyama: viola and violin (Performer), Jennifer Lim: piano (Performer)

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 14, 2008)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Single
• Label: EDI Records
• ASIN: B001IB586Q
• Average Customer Review: No customer reviews yet. Be the first.
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #210,125 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Track Listings

1. Sonata for Viola and Piano, Op. 49, Allegro appassionato

2. Sonata for Viola and Piano, Op. 49, Andante

3. Sonata for Viola and Piano, Op. 49, Allegro non troppo

4. Sonata for Viola and Piano, Op. 49, Allegro non troppo ma molto con fuoco

5. Sonata No. 1 in G Major for Violin and Piano, Op. 13 Moderato con moto

6. Sonata No. 1 in G Major for Violin and Piano, Op 13, Moderato, Tema e Variazioni

7. Sonata No. 1 in G Major for Violin and Piano, Op. 13, Scherzo

8. Sonata No. 1 in G Major for Violin and Piano, Op.13, Finale. Adagio non troppo - Moderato con moto

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Nokuthula Ngwenyama's international performances as orchestral soloist, recitalist, and chamber musician garner great attention. Gramophone proclaims her playing as providing 'solidly shaped music of bold, mesmerising character' and the Washington Post described her as playing 'with dazzling technique in the virtuoso fast movements and deep expressiveness in the slow movements.' Ms. Ngwenyama came to international attention when she won the Primrose Competition and the Young Concert Artists International Auditions at 17, and in 1997 she received the prestigious Avery Fisher Career Grant. Born in California of Zimbabwean-Japanese parentage, Ms. Ngwenyama graduated from the Curtis Institute of Music. As a Fulbright scholar she attended the Conservatoire National Superieur de Musique de Paris and received a Master of Theological Studies degree from Harvard University. Canadian pianist Jennifer Lim has been praised by The Financial Times, Germany for her 'stupendous finger technique in break-neck passages, and, in the slow movement, deeply penetrating substance' Ms. Lim came into attention when she captured the Grand Prize at the Korea Times National Music Competition at age 8. In 1993 she was a top prize winner at the Canadian Music Competition in Montreal and the Johanna Hodges International Piano Competition in California. She studied at the renowned Curtis Institute of Music with Peter Serkin as his only student. Upon graduation in 1998 she was awarded the coveted Rachmaninoff Prize, presented by the Faculty to one graduating pianist. She completed her master's degree at The Juilliard School in New York in 2000 as a protégée of the legendary pianist Bella Davidovich. Ms. Lim has also studied privately with Anton Kuerti and Jane Coop. The Opus 13 sonata is a product of Rubinstein's first mature creative period. He was living in St. Petersburg, having returned from Germany due to the revolution of 1848. As a leading figure in local musical life he taught, performed, and composed. The Sonata No. 1 in G Major for Violin and Piano was written in his early 20s. His writing for the piano is lovingly crafted, showcasing incredible dexterity and technique. He also features flashy melodic writing for the violin, giving the line ample opportunity to shine. Although Rubinstein had experienced paternal loss and its resulting poverty abroad, a lightness and charm prevail throughout the work. Mendelssohn's influence is apparent, especially in the joyful, youthful and heroic Scherzo (third) movement. The Tema e Variazioni and Trio section of the Scherzo, however, betray touching Russian folkloristic styles in their themes and contoured development of the solo line, demonstrating Rubinstein's ability to successfully bridge German and Russian musical idioms. In contrast, the Sonata for Piano and Viola, Opus 49 is passionate and brooding. Published in 1855, it shows a more deeply charged Romantic influence. This was presumably written during his first major European concert tour in over a decade, which took place in 1854. During this tour Rubinstein's friendship with Liszt deepened, and their discussions of composition influenced him. This ranks as one of the major Romantic sonatas for this combination of instruments. The piano writing is almost orchestral in scale, showcasing extreme contrasts of moods, emotions, and colors. It demands tremendous technical and musical control, as can be heard in the dramatic arpeggios of the first movement and the parallel thirds in the Trio section of the third movement. The viola voice is both powerful and lyrical in the role of a heroic protagonist. Rubinstein uses the timbre of the instrument especially well in the Andante movement to evoke a special air of tenderness.