Gili Schwarzman, Guy Braunstein, Amihai Grosz, Alisa Weilerstein - Old Souls (2019) [Official Digital Download 24/96]

Old Souls presents masterworks of Beethoven, Dvořák, Wolf and Kreisler in new arrangements for flute and strings, played by a group of outstanding young musicians.

Guy Braunstein’s arrangements display these well-known pieces in a fresh new light; Braunstein and Schwarzman are joined by violinist Susanna Yoko Henkel, violist Amihai Grosz and cellist Alisa Weilerstein.

While the arrangement of Beethoven’s Violin Sonata Op. 23 entails a thorough recomposition of the original, the performances of Dvorak's American String Quartet, Wolf’s “Italian” Serenade and Kreisler’s Syncopation stay closer to the source, with the flute taking up the role originally played by the first violin.

The use of the flute creates novel sonic sensations through the way it blends with the strings, and at times gives the pieces a sparkle they did not have before. Guy Braunstein expands his PENTATONE discography, after having already released Tchaikovsky Treasures in 2019. Alisa Weilerstein presented Transfigured Night in 2018 as the first fruit of her exclusive collaboration with PENTATONE. Gili Schwarzman, Susanna Yoko Henkel and Amihai Grosz make their label debut.

Tracklist:
01. Violin Sonata No. 4 in A Minor, Op. 23 (Arr. G. Braunstein for Flute Quintet) I. Prest 05:50
02. Violin Sonata No. 4 in A Minor, Op. 23 (Arr. G. Braunstein for Flute Quintet) II. Anda 06:46
03. Violin Sonata No. 4 in A Minor, Op. 23 (Arr. G. Braunstein for Flute Quintet) III. All 06:00
04. Italian Serenade (Arr. G. Braunstein for Flute Quartet) 07:36
05. Syncopation (Arr. G. Braunstein for Flute Quartet) 02:16
06. String Quartet No. 12 in F Major, Op. 96, B. 179 American (Arr. G. Braunstein for Flut 07:06
07. String Quartet No. 12 in F Major, Op. 96, B. 179 American (Arr. G. Braunstein for Flut 07:21
08. String Quartet No. 12 in F Major, Op. 96, B. 179 American (Arr. G. Braunstein for Flut 03:57
09. String Quartet No. 12 in F Major, Op. 96, B. 179 American (Arr. G. Braunstein for Flut 05:25

Personnel:
Gili Schwarzman (flute),
Guy Braunstein (violin),
Susanna Yoko Henkel (violin),
Amihai Grosz (viola),
Alisa Weilerstein (cello).