Vaughan Williams and Grieg: Violin Sonatas

Chronique

Nationality-based evaluations may be worth little, but for whatever reason, this pairing of the Vaughan Williams Violin Sonata in A minor with Grieg's Violin Sonata No. 2 in G minor, Op. 13, by violinist Charlie Siem is unusually effective. The Vaughan Williams sonata is certainly not unknown, but given its high quality, it is probably underplayed. It is a late work, dating from around the time of the Sinfonia Antartica in the 1950s. It is, by Vaughan Williams' standards, unusually passionate, departing harmonically into realms far removed from its original A minor. The Scherzo is a remarkable essay in additive rhythms. The work was composed for violinist Frederick Grinke, who had championed The Lark Ascending, and the variation finale puts Siem through his paces, accompanied ably through the fireworks by pianist Itamar Golan. The Grieg Violin Sonata No. 2 is an entirely different animal, even though Grieg and Vaughan Williams inhabit essentially similar late Romantic universes. It is a quiet, lyrical work with lots of pentatonicism, melodically rich in Grieg's characteristic way. Siem effectively shifts gears here, not overplaying the work as sometimes happens. The Saffron Hall sound from Signum Classics does not get in the way of the players, all to the good in this remarkable violin recital.
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