Sonatas by J.S. Bach and H.I.F. Biber (Johann Sebastian Bach - Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber)

Album review

Winner of the 2010 International Bach Competition, violinist Evgeny Sviridov has chosen for his Genuin album debut a selection of violin works by Bach and his contemporary Heinrich Ignaz Biber. While Bach's solo partitas and sonatas -- of which Sviridov has chosen the E major Sonata for this disc -- are extremely well known to listeners, the sonatas with harpsichord are curiously less common despite their equally exemplary writing and true equality of interplay between the two instruments. Lesser known still are Biber's sonatas for violin and continuo. Unlike Bach, Biber's often more overtly ostentatious, virtuosic works employ techniques such as scordatura to extend the sonic possibilities of the violin. The Eighth Sonata, heard on this disc, is scored for two violins or one highly talented artist covering both parts. Sviridov is just such a violinist, possessing an abundant and polished technique that delivers crisp performances that are brilliantly in tune and seemingly effortless in their execution. His approach to Bach and Biber is not Baroque performance practice, nor is it the highly romanticized, overwrought interpretation of others. Rather, Sviridov meets listeners in the middle. His sound is not heavy, but still produces a nice, solid core with warmth and a variety of colors. Vibrato is used throughout, but still maintains its function as an ornament rather than a constant feature of the sound. Pacing is driven but not rushed. Indeed, Sviridov delivers an album worthy of his accolades, and one that is worth checking out.
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