Philippe Graffin's virtuosity combined with his skills as a sleuth have led to the world-premiere recording of a "Posthumous" solo violin sonata by Eugene Ysaye, an astonishing discovery that extends the Belgian composer's canon of his essential six sonatas for the medium. Philippe unearthed the nearly-completed manuscript in the library of the Brussels Conservatoire, and polished off the final movement in the most Ysaye-esque manner possible. Philippe's penchant for intuitive programming I brought to bear on Fiddler's Blues, combining two Ysaye works- including another premiere, with a pair of folksy, Bohemian-flavored works by George Enescu, another virtuoso violinist/composer who emigrated from his native Romania and like Ysaye settled in Paris. Enescu was a classmate of Maurice Ravel whose Berceuse sur le nom de Gabriel Faure is an affectionate nod to their teacher at the Paris Conservatoire, whilst his azure-tinged Violin Sonata influences the album's title. Ravel's slightly older contemporary Claude Debussy befriended Ysaye. Whereas Ysaye soared writing works for solo violin, Debussy wrote none. Suggesting how such a work may have sounded, Philippe contributes his own arrangement for solo violin of Debussy's enduring piece Claire de lune.

Tracklist:

Sonate Posthume Pour Violin Seul, Op. 27: I. Allegro Molto Moderato Ma Con Brio
Sonate Posthume Pour Violin Seul, Op. 27: II. Canzona - Lento E Mesto
Sonate Posthume Pour Violin Seul, Op. 27: III. Finale - Giocoso (Completed P. Graffin)
Violin Sonata No. 2 In G Major: I. Allegretto
Violin Sonata No. 2 In G Major: II. Blues - Moderato
Violin Sonata No. 2 In G Major: III. Perpetuum Mobile - Allegro
Claire De Lune (Transcribed For Solo Violin By David Matthews And Philippe Graffin)
Petite Fantasie Romantique
Violin Sonata No. 3 In A Minor, Op. 25, ‘dans Le Caractère Populaire Roumain’: I. Moderato Malinconico
Violin Sonata No. 3 In A Minor, Op. 25, ‘dans Le Caractère Populaire Roumain’: II. Andante Sostenuto E Mister
Violin Sonata No. 3 In A Minor, Op. 25, ‘dans Le Caractère Populaire Roumain’: III. Allegro Con Brio, Ma Trop
Berceuse Sur Le Nom De Gabriel Fauré
Hora Unirii

UPC: 822252239928
Label: Avie
Release Date: 2.1.19
Format: CD

Debussy / Graffin / Desert - Fiddler's Blues (CD)