Leila Josefowicz · Solo
Leila Josefowicz · Solo · Bartók · Kreisler · Paganini · Isaye · Ernst
APE+CUE 296 MB | No Log | Covers | 1996
Leila Josefowicz · Solo
Works for Solo Violin Leila Josefowicz (vn). Philips CD 446 700-2PH (62 minutes: DDD). BartOk: Solo Violin Sonata, Sz117. Kreisler: Recitative and Scherzo-Caprice, Op. 6. Paganini: Introduction and Variations on "Nel cor pin non mi sento" from Paisiello's "La Molinara". Ysajie: Solo Violin Sonatas, Op. 27— No. 3 in D minor; No. 4 in E minor. Ernst: Grand Caprice, Op. 26 (after Schubert's "Der Erlktinig").
BartbklPaganini – selected comparison:
Mulloya (9/88) (PHIL) 420 948-2PH &rink - selected comparison:
Kennedy (5/87) (EMI) CDC7 47621-2
The young American violinist Leila Josefowicz plays with thrilling verve and intensity. Her programme interestingly contrasts 'serious' virtuoso pieces, such as the BartOk and Ysaye sonatas, with technical tours de force (Paganini and Ernst). The recording is quite closely balanced, enhancing the directness of the performances. In the BartOk, Josefowicz stays within a few seconds of the composer's meticulous timings, and one can feel the rightness of this in the stately rhythm of the Tempo di ciaccona, the fierce drive of the Fuga, and the scintillating final Presto. The main blemish is Josefowicz's frequent unwillingness to play really quietly. The passage around 215" in the Melodia is closer to forte than piano. This is the more disappointing since she produces some really beautiful pianissimos in Ysaye's Fourth Sonata. Both Ysaye sonatas are indeed particularly fine, with a splendidly passionate account of No. 3 and brilliant bowing variations in the finale of No. 4. Her combination of technical certainty with intense emotional involvement carries her in splendid style through the Paganini, Ernst and the attractive Kreisler rarity.
By the side ofJosefowicz, Mullova in BartOk and Paganini (coupled with Bach's B minor Partita), is given a more flattering, reverberant recording, and sounds more polished, with a wider range of expressive tone colours. She misses, though, the extra ounce of passion and drive that animates Josefowicz's performance. Nigel Kennedy, too, produces some beautiful playing in the Bart6k, with a fine vibrant tone. However I find his interpretation too laid back. He takes more than five minutes longer than Josefowicz, with slower tempos and many little hold-ups. So, if the BartOk is your main concern, the choice is between Mullova's greater expressive subtlety and Josefowicz's compelling energy. Duncan Druce. Gramophone
CD
Bartók · Solo Violin Sonata, Sz117
Kreisler · Recitative and Scherzo-Caprice, Op. 6
Paganini · Introduction and Variations on "Nel cor pin non mi sento" from Paisiello's "La Molinara"
Ysajie · Solo Violin Sonatas, Op. 27— No. 3 in D minor; No. 4 in E minor.
Ernst · Grand Caprice, Op. 26 (after Schubert's "Der Erlktinig")
PW: aire