Multi award-winning violinist James Ehnes recorded this album during lockdown at his home. Recording commenced in the early hours of the morning when all was quiet in the house. The solo violin, recorded in the small hours during these troubled times makes for a powerful and intimate listening experience. YsaÃ¿e's six sonatas for solo violin together with J.S Bach's Sonatas & Partitas and the most important extended works for the solo violin. Ysaye composed each one of them with a particular violinist in mind, capturing their personality and characteristics of their playing. These sonatas represent the stylistic bridge between the old and the new, between tradition and improvisation, offering a glimpse into a "golden" era of fast evolving traditions of playing, of which YsaÃ¿e was one of the leading voices.

Tracklist:

Sonata No. 1 in G minor, Op.27 No.1 "Joseph Szigeti: I Grave: Lento Assai
Sonata No. 1 in G minor, Op.27 No.1 "Joseph Szigeti: II. Fugato: Molto Moderato
Sonata No. 1 in G minor, Op.27 No.1 "Joseph Szigeti: III: Allesgretto Poco Scherzoso: Amabile
Sonata No. 1 in G minor, Op.27 No.1 "Joseph Szigeti: IV: Finale Con Brio: Allegro Fermo
Sonata No. 2 in a Minor, Op.27 No.2 "Jacques Thibaud": I. "Obession" (Prelude):Poco Vivace
Sonata No. 2 in a Minor, Op.27 No.2 "Jacques Thibaud": II."Malinconia": Poco Lento
Sonata No. 2 in a Minor, Op.27 No.2 "Jacques Thibaud":Iii. "Danse Des Ombres": (Sarabande): Lento
Sonata No. 2 in a Minor, Op.27 No.2 "Jacques Thibaud": IV. "Les Furies": Allegro Furioso
Sonata No.3 in D minor, Op.27 No.3 "Georges Enesco" Ballade: Lento Molto Sostenuto - Allegro in Tempo Giusto E Con Bravura
Sonata No.4 in E minor, Op.27 No.4 "Fritz Kreisler": I. Allemende: Lento Maestoso
Sonata No.4 in E minor, Op.27 No.4 "Fritz Kreisler": II. Sarabande: Quasi Lento
Sonata No.4 in E minor, Op.27 No.4 "Fritz Kreisler": III. Finale: Presto Ma Non Troppo
Sonata No.5 in G Major, Op.27 No.5 "Mathieu Crickboom": I. "L'aurore": Lento Assai
Sonata No.5 in G Major, Op.27 No.5 "Mathieu Crickboom": II. Danse Rustique: Allegro Giocoso Molto Moderato
Sonata No.6 in E Major, Op.27 No.6 "Manuel Quiroga": Allegro Giusto Non Troppo Vivo

UPC: 880040419822
Label: Onyx Classics
Release Date: 5.28.21
Format: CD

James Ehnes - Ysaye: Sonastas For Solo Violin (CD)