Customer Reviews

Stravinsky / Bach

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Based on the performance, this should be 5 stars, but there is some background noise during the Partita (sounds like breathing). Otherwise, I receommend this CD without further reservation. I simply have never heard any recorded violin with the tone that Kavakos has--and the same is true of his Enescu/Ravel album. It's also pleasant to hear some rare Stravinsky works--I certainly don't associate violin/piano chamber music with him, especially with a baroque sound as in the Italian suite. The highlight is certainly his Bach--we can hope that Kavakos will give us complete sets of the partitas! Of course Nagy is excellent on the piano but not as prominent as in the Enescu/Ravel album.

Though at first the album cover stating the pairing of Bach with Stravinsky may seem bizarre, nothing could be further from the truth. Brilliant Greek violinist Leonidas Kavakos has elected to pair Stravinsky's neo-classical 'Duo Concertante' and 'Pulcinella Suite or `Suite Italienne' (with fine accompaniment from pianist Peter Nagy) with Bach's unaccompanied G-minor Sonata and B-minor Partita. Meshing the virtuosity of these two composers' demands is what makes this recital absolutely pulsatile!

Kavakos has perfect intonation and flexibility of tonal approach that he demonstrates between the 'baroque sound' for the Bach works and the richly romantic sound for the slower movements of the Stravinsky works. His technique is astonishingly fine and his rapport with Nagy is as sensitive as his solo moments with Bach.

This is one of those intelligent recordings that not only presents superb works well performed but has an idea about programming that is novel and that works! Highly Recommended. Grady Harp, August 05

Kavakos and Nagy bridges the gap between the two ages in classical music in this recording,baroque and modern,chosing excellent works,once again.The whole disc is breathtaking,full of lyrical,dramatic and esoterical moments,especially Stravinsky cuts,which are less performed.It has the charismatic property,very few discs have,to be heard from the beginning to the end,enjoying the brilliant playing and the discrete but equal roles of both musicians.The sound is typical ECM,means excellent.Highly recommended,don't miss it.

This is one of those rare CDs that one cannot do without. In other words, I purchased it a month ago and I haven't been able to take it off my CD player ever since. To be brief and to the point:

- The program is unique and very original juxtaposing Stravinsky and Bach. Very interesting and fresh.
- The Duo Concertant of Stravinsky is pure magic, with moments of "harsh madness" alternating with passages of sweet lyrical beauty, where wild, crazy torrents of "playful" notes change into slow and poignant phrases that linger.
- Unlike the Stravinsky selection (which includes some not very well known works), the partitas of Bach are very well known, indeed. However, what is not so "common" in this case, is the performance of Kavakos, which can be described with one simple word: outstanding.

Highly recommended. Also check out the previous ECM CD of Kavakos/Nagy with music by Ravel and Enescu. Their performance of the "Sonate posthume" of Ravel is the best I've ever heard. The same for the Enescu.

On the face of it a violin / piano recital juxtaposing first Stravinsky's Duo Concertant against Bach's Partita #1 in Bminor and Stravinsky's Suite Italienne against Bach's Sonata #1,in the same program, seems incongruous and a potential disaster to say the least. Yet that's what violinist Leonidas Kavakos and pianist Peter Nagy propose and effectively make an argument for the pairing in this 2005 ECM recording, which sadly appears to be out of print on the Amazon website but available in the Amazon marketplace.

While a most unique, courageous recital Kavakos / Nagy's advocacy and stellar performances and ECM's recorded sound are bound to win you over. The sound is clear, Kavakos displays excellent tonal qualities and expressive intensity in his play and Nagy is an equal partner all the way. It's rare that such high level musical interaction is caught in the studio. There is a level of intimacy and passion that is caught and the listener is included and rewarded.

Stravinsky's and Bach's works come off as extensions of each other. If anything BAch seems more contemporary than Stravinsky. Kavakos displays a full bodied tonal production and masterful technique. There are no thin piercing notes. Instead there is a fluidity of phrasing on both performer's parts. The Partita dances as does the Suite Italienne. When there are lyrical passages, sheer beauty prevails.

Make no mistake! This is a cd you can play over and over and never get tired or bored. In fact hitting replay lets nuances seep through as every time you hear new ideas. An exceptional recording in which both violin and piano are present and not distant.

If there is a down side you get only one sonata and partita. I know I want to hear Kavakos's take on the complete Sonatas and Partitas of Bach. If you have not seen Kavakos play, there are videos on You Tube. Just go to youtube.com and search Kavakos. Solo Bach is there as well as Sibelius (he was winner of a Sibelius competition) and Brahms.

Any who loves fine violin playing in an intimate setting will want this recording.

"Second Hearing, because once is just not enough!"

Look far and wide and you will not find a combo of musicians that bring out a sound like this. Leonidas Kavakos is truly amazing. Stravinsky has never sounded so good and it's rare to hear this type of chamber music played with such passion. If you have ever thought that you just don't understand the music of Igor, give this a listen. It will make you an "IS" fan. By the way, the Bach is pretty good too.

Mr. Kavakos and Mr. Nagy's talents are very well-matched. The phrasing is superb--a most enjoyable CD. Any CD by either of these gentlemen is a good investment.