Musique pour alto & piano

Album review

From the end of the 19th century and onward, the frequency with which prominent composers were found writing for the viola increased dramatically. This phenomenon was seen around the world as the instrument's deep, resonate sound fell more into favor and virtuosos became more commonplace. This Naxos album focuses on viola works to emerge from Hungary. From this country, composers often fell into two camps. The first were those who adopted the popular late-Romantic, German idiom; here, this is represented by the Joachim Op. 9 Hebrew Melodies and the Dohnányi Op. 21 Sonata in an arrangement by performer Sarah-Jane Bradley. (Dohnányi himself had played an arrangement of the piece with violist Lionel Tertis). Countering these highly lyrical compositions are those from composers who sought to develop a more nationalistic musical idiom and include the Martinu Sonata, H. 355, the Kodály Adagio, and the Enescu Concertstück. Bradley's program is not only well thought out and diverse, but demonstrates the viola's abilities both as a virtuosic instrument and one capable of delivering beautiful melodic lines. Joined by pianist Anthony Hewitt, Bradley's performances are admirable in many respects. Her playing is very calm and restrained; there are no moments when listeners are left gasping for air as the violist strains for large shifts or to make it to the end of difficult passagework. Her intonation is generally solid, her tone is warm and even across the range of her instrument. On the downside, her sound is not exceptionally big. Hewitt's playing is quite accommodating in this respect so the piano never actually obscures Bradley's playing, but there is a notable lack of any big, forte sound, or a wide dynamic range.
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