Among the most talented violinists of his generation, KristÃ³f BarÃ¡ti has made a string of recordings for Brilliant Classics that have been highly recommended across the board. BarÃ¡ti and his fellow Hungarian partner KlÃ¡ra WÃ¼rtz now turn their attention to a classic trio of Francophone violin sonatas from the turn of the last century. CÃ©sar Franck's Belgian origins and Wagnerian leanings hardly obscure the French accent of the Violin Sonata which he composed towards the end of his life, and in it distilled the essence of his long-range harmonic thinking. The sonata's lucid cyclical form leads the listener on a journey of restrained passions, yet still far more overt in it's passions than the sonata composed by the ailing Debussy in the middle of the First World War. This is a work riven by outer sickness and conflict yet sustained from within by an enduring love for another age of French composers such as Rameau and Couperin. Debussy's Sonata breathes with the spirit of another age, whereas Ravel's contribution to the genre is bang up to date - the date in question being the mid-1920s - with it's flavors of jazz and blues. The second movement is 'stylized jazz, more French than American,' according to the composer, while the frantic perpetuum mobile finale continues his fascination with intricate, machine-like structures, in which the violinist plays for 180 consecutive bars. All three sonatas require the most assured technique and refined musicianship, which they receive in this new recording from KristÃ³f BarÃ¡ti.

Tracklist:

Violin Sonata, L.140: I. Allegro Vivo
Violin Sonata, L.140: II. Intermède, Fantasque Et Léger
Violin Sonata, L.140: III. Finale, Très Animé
Violin Sonata No. 2 In G Major, M.77: I. Allegretto
Violin Sonata No. 2 In G Major, M.77: II. Blues. Moderato
Violin Sonata No. 2 In G Major, M.77: III. Perpetuum Mobile, Allegro
Violin Sonata In A Major, Fwv 8: I. Allegretto Ben Moderato
Violin Sonata In A Major, Fwv 8: II. Allegro
Violin Sonata In A Major, Fwv 8: III. Recitativo-Fantasia, Ben Moderato
Violin Sonata In A Major, Fwv 8: IV. Allegretto Poco Mosso

UPC: 5028421955766
Label: Brilliant Classics
Release Date: 2.7.20
Format: CD

Debussy / Barati / Wurtz - French Violin Sonatas (CD)