Performer: Mikhail Muntian, Yuri Bashmet
Composer: Max Bruch, George Enescu, Franz Schubert, Robert Schumann
Audio CD
SPARS Code: DDD
Number of Discs: 1
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: RCA
Size: 318 MB
Recovery: 3%
Scan: yes
01. Allegro moderato
02. Adagio
03. Allegretto
04. No. 1, Nicht schnell
05. No. 2, Lebhaft
06. No. 3, Rasch
07. No. 4, Langsam, mit melancholischem Ausdruck
# Sonata for arpeggione & piano in A minor (“Arpeggione Sonata”), D. 821
Composed by Franz Schubert
with Mikhail Muntian, Yuri Bashmet
# Märchenbilder for viola (or violin) & piano, Op. 113
Composed by Robert Schumann
with Mikhail Muntian, Yuri Bashmet
# Adagio & Allegro for horn (or violin or cello) & piano in A flat major, Op. 70
Composed by Robert Schumann
with Mikhail Muntian, Yuri Bashmet
# Kol Nidrei, for cello & orchestra, Op. 47
Composed by Max Bruch
with Mikhail Muntian, Yuri Bashmet
# Concert Piece, for viola & piano
Composed by George Enescu
with Mikhail Muntian, Yuri Bashmet
Wonderful Viola Repertoire from the Romantic Period
Yuri Bashmet’s recording of the Arpegionne sonata and the Marchenbilder are excellent, as with the other pieces on this disc. Although the Arpegionne sonata is mostly heard on cello, I think the viola transcription has a distinct, touching, aura to it, particularly the slow second movement. The Marchenbilder, or Fairy Tales, is one of the few works from the Romantic Period written for viola, which is too bad, because as you can hear in this recording, the viola is very well suited to the style of this period. Yuri Bashmet’s playing is impeccable, and this recording is my favorite of the Marchenbilder. The last three works on this disc are interesting as well, although they do not compel constant, repeated listenings. The Bruch Kol Nidrei on this disc is originally for cello and orchestra, but is played in the transcription for viola and piano reduction. However, Yuri Bashmet has also made a recording of this work for viola and orchestra, which is on a disc with the Walton Concerto, Bruch Romance, and Bruch Concerto for Violin and Viola, also highly recommended.