Poulenc, Stravinsky, Prokofiev: Violin sonatas

Album review

The music on this album dates from before and during World War II, and the general mood is tense and even grim. There is quite a dark sonata from the usually gentle and lyrical Poulenc, whereas the intermezzo Divertimento for violin and piano of Stravinsky, drawn from the ballet Le Baiser de la fée, is uncharacteristically cheerful, even foot-tapping Stravinsky. The final work, Prokofiev's Violin Sonata No. 1, Op. 80, is palpably panicky. Prokofiev said, "It should sound in such a way that people should jump in their seat, and people will say 'Is he out of his mind?'" He made that remark in connection with the piano accompaniment, and a chief virtue of this recording by violinist David Grimal and pianist Itamar Golan, in addition to its overall coherence, is the relationship between the players. Golan is not afraid to come to the fore in the turbulent outer works, backing off when clarity is necessary but adding density and intensity. The booklet for physical buyers is worth the money; it is in an interview format, and it is clear that the two players have thought a lot about chamber music performance, although this is their first recording together. La Dolce Volta's sound from the Salle Philharmonique de Liège is not great; it attempts to compensate for the oversized space by coming too close up, but that is about the only complaint relating to this very strong recital.
© James Manheim /TiVo