Bacri / Mathieu / Arakawa- Cortege (CD)
Violinist Véronique Mathieu and pianist Jasmin Arakawa present Navona Records' CORTEGE. The name cortège, or "solemn procession," covers a vast expanse of meaning - while it most often describes a funeral procession, the term also refers to a joyful wedding procession, or a group that follows a person of importance in their honor. Mathieu and Arakawa balance the solemn and the celebratory in this sensitive, dynamic performance. Exploring the works of four French composers - Claude Debussy, Lili Boulanger, Nicolas Bacri, Francis Poulenc - the album is emotional, refined, and triumphant all at the same time. The album begins with a trip back to 1917 with Claude Debussy's Sonata for violin and piano in G minor. Written when the composer was suffering from terminal cancer, a year before his death, he wrote to a friend that "this sonata will be interesting from a documentary point of view and as an example of what may be produced by a sick man in time of war." Mathieu and Arakawa handle this introspective work with technical precision and grace. The moving album finds it's title track in composer Lili Boulanger's 3 Pieces for violin and piano. The second movement, Cortège, presents the other side of the word's meaning - it depicts a victorious procession through sweeping gestures, a brisk tempo, and a bright, sunny energy. Mathieu and Arakawa pay homage to the young composer, whose life was cut short by illness, and demonstrate the triumph that can be created even in a grave situation. The Bacri Sonata breve for solo violin, op. 45 and Poulenc Sonata for violin and piano, FP 119 wrap up the album with passion and a demonstration of the duo's virtuosity and compatibility as a musical unit.
Tracklist:
- Violin Sonata In G Minor, L. 140: I. Allegro Vivo
- Violin Sonata In G Minor, L. 140: II. Intermède
- Violin Sonata In G Minor, L. 140: III. Finale
- 2 Pieces For Violin & Piano: No. 1, Nocturne
- 2 Pieces For Violin & Piano: No. 2, Cortège
- D'un Matin De Printemps (Version For Violin & Piano)
- Sonata Breve For Solo Violin, Op. 45: I. Introduzione E Marcia
- Sonata Breve For Solo Violin, Op. 45: II. Cantilena
- Sonata Breve For Solo Violin, Op. 45: III. Improvvisazione Sopra Un Frammento Motivico Di W.A. Mozart
- Violin Sonata No. 4, Fp 119: I. Allegro Con Fuoco
- Violin Sonata No. 4, Fp 119: II. Intermezzo
- Violin Sonata No. 4, Fp 119: III. Presto Tragico
UPC > 896931006057
Format > New CD
Label > Navona
Shop online at Darkside Records.
Follow us on Instagram.
> Due to the current limited nature of music titles, ALL CD & Vinyl purchases are limited to FOUR copies per customer, per item. If you place multiple orders for multiples of the same title, your subsequent orders will be canceled.
Violinist Véronique Mathieu and pianist Jasmin Arakawa present Navona Records' CORTEGE. The name cortège, or "solemn procession," covers a vast expanse of meaning - while it most often describes a funeral procession, the term also refers to a joyful wedding procession, or a group that follows a person of importance in their honor. Mathieu and Arakawa balance the solemn and the celebratory in this sensitive, dynamic performance. Exploring the works of four French composers - Claude Debussy, Lili Boulanger, Nicolas Bacri, Francis Poulenc - the album is emotional, refined, and triumphant all at the same time. The album begins with a trip back to 1917 with Claude Debussy's Sonata for violin and piano in G minor. Written when the composer was suffering from terminal cancer, a year before his death, he wrote to a friend that "this sonata will be interesting from a documentary point of view and as an example of what may be produced by a sick man in time of war." Mathieu and Arakawa handle this introspective work with technical precision and grace. The moving album finds it's title track in composer Lili Boulanger's 3 Pieces for violin and piano. The second movement, Cortège, presents the other side of the word's meaning - it depicts a victorious procession through sweeping gestures, a brisk tempo, and a bright, sunny energy. Mathieu and Arakawa pay homage to the young composer, whose life was cut short by illness, and demonstrate the triumph that can be created even in a grave situation. The Bacri Sonata breve for solo violin, op. 45 and Poulenc Sonata for violin and piano, FP 119 wrap up the album with passion and a demonstration of the duo's virtuosity and compatibility as a musical unit.
Tracklist:
- Violin Sonata In G Minor, L. 140: I. Allegro Vivo
- Violin Sonata In G Minor, L. 140: II. Intermède
- Violin Sonata In G Minor, L. 140: III. Finale
- 2 Pieces For Violin & Piano: No. 1, Nocturne
- 2 Pieces For Violin & Piano: No. 2, Cortège
- D'un Matin De Printemps (Version For Violin & Piano)
- Sonata Breve For Solo Violin, Op. 45: I. Introduzione E Marcia
- Sonata Breve For Solo Violin, Op. 45: II. Cantilena
- Sonata Breve For Solo Violin, Op. 45: III. Improvvisazione Sopra Un Frammento Motivico Di W.A. Mozart
- Violin Sonata No. 4, Fp 119: I. Allegro Con Fuoco
- Violin Sonata No. 4, Fp 119: II. Intermezzo
- Violin Sonata No. 4, Fp 119: III. Presto Tragico
UPC > 896931006057
Format > New CD
Label > Navona
Shop online at Darkside Records.
Follow us on Instagram.
> Due to the current limited nature of music titles, ALL CD & Vinyl purchases are limited to FOUR copies per customer, per item. If you place multiple orders for multiples of the same title, your subsequent orders will be canceled.