Anne-Sophie Mutter: Recital 2000

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
To capture the brilliant partnership between violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter and pianist Lambert Orkis, one only has to look to their riveting recording of Beethoven's Violin Sonatas. Over the course of those four CDs, the pair revealed themselves to be a lively, sympathetic team. The same description could be used for this single-CD recital, featuring four very different 20th-century compositions from four very different composers. The spiky nature and high notes of Prokofiev's Sonata stand in direct contrast with George Crumb's Four Nocturnes, a fragmented but short sonic journey filled with subtle harmonics and stark, hallucinogenic movements. Moving to Webern's Four Pieces, Mutter and Orkis literally define the essence of collaboration--there is no "star" here, other than the composer's somber work. The pair end the recital on its most gorgeous note: Respighi's Sonata for Violin and Piano in B minor. The richly lyrical, Romantic composition is the perfect showcase for the duo, and they deliver an electrifying performance. While Webern and Crumb may be acquired tastes, the Respighi piece is something everyone will love, filled with beautiful, expressive singing lines. These are great performances--Mutter's tone is impeccable and Orkis showcases his ever-increasing versatility. Great recorded sound, too. --Jason Verlinde

Tracks:

Sonata For Violin And Piano In D Major, Op. 94a: I. Moderato
Sonata For Violin And Piano In D Major, Op. 94a: II. Scherzo: Presto
Sonata For Violin And Piano In D Major, Op. 94a: III. Andante
Sonata For Violin And Piano In D Major, Op. 94a: IV. Allegro Con Brio
Four Nocturnes (Night Music II): Notturno I: Serenamente
Four Nocturnes (Night Music II): Noturnno II: Scorrevole, Vivace Possible
Four Nocturnes (Night Music II): Noturnno III: Contemplativo
Four Nocturnes (Night Music II): Noturnno IV: Con Un Sentimento Di Nostalgia
Four Pieces Op. 7: I. Sehr Langsam
Four Pieces Op. 7: II. Rasch
Four Pieces Op. 7: III. Sehr lansam
Four Pieces Op. 7: IV. Bewegt
Sonata For Violin And Piano In B Minor: I. Moderato - Agitato - Tempo I
Sonata For Violin And Piano In B Minor: II. Andante espressivo
Sonata For Violin And Piano In B Minor: III. (Passacaglia) Allegro Moderato Ma Energico

Amazon.com

To capture the brilliant partnership between violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter and pianist Lambert Orkis, one only has to look to their riveting recording of Beethoven's Violin Sonatas. Over the course of those four CDs, the pair revealed themselves to be a lively, sympathetic team. The same description could be used for this single-CD recital, featuring four very different 20th-century compositions from four very different composers. The spiky nature and high notes of Prokofiev's Sonata stand in direct contrast with George Crumb's Four Nocturnes, a fragmented but short sonic journey filled with subtle harmonics and stark, hallucinogenic movements. Moving to Webern's Four Pieces, Mutter and Orkis literally define the essence of collaboration--there is no "star" here, other than the composer's somber work. The pair end the recital on its most gorgeous note: Respighi's Sonata for Violin and Piano in B minor. The richly lyrical, Romantic composition is the perfect showcase for the duo, and they deliver an electrifying performance. While Webern and Crumb may be acquired tastes, the Respighi piece is something everyone will love, filled with beautiful, expressive singing lines. These are great performances--Mutter's tone is impeccable and Orkis showcases his ever-increasing versatility. Great recorded sound, too. --Jason Verlinde

Customer Reviews:

The Classical Rookie Reviews.......2001-03-02

I am a novice when it comes to clasical music, and as my collection has grown to 70 CD's this last year, this genre of music has proven majestic and beautiful, yet huge and complex. Anyway, I have found I love the music of Ryuichi Sakamoto, Bella Bartok, and Dimitri Shostokovitch. The Prokofiev and Respighi pieces she performed often remind me of those composers, and I enjoy those pieces especially. This CD is amazing all the way through, and is performed very well.

Also, this recording is excelent. The detail in violin is phenomenal. You can feel her hand touch every string. Although I can not write an extremely detailed review as many classical reviewers do (and keep it up, I love reading them) from the stand point of a novice this has become one of my more loved works.

Back with a vengeance.......2001-01-12

After her Beethoven recordings I was afraid that the era of splendid Mutter recordings might have been over, but behold: another gem. I know that she may at times phrase a little too emphetically, may stretch too much, etc. etc. Yet, this is a beautiful recording. Long live the 20th century. As Elaine would say : Mutter-worthy.

Back with a vengeance.......2001-01-12

Not big deal..........2001-01-01

I am a Mutter fan. As crappy as she treats her fan, I still like her music. Anyway, she's made some remarkable recordings, and this one adds one more on that list. The Webern and Crumb are wonderful. Very colourful as usual but with more maturity compared to the 20th century pieces she recorded for the past 10 years. The Prokofiev and Respighi is what I think she can improve on. For starters, she played them the Mutter way. That means she creates colour by either with the tempo or the dynamics, rarely the two combined. This style suites atonal pieces perfectly but is not enough for more Classical pieces. A fine example is her 20th century recordings(great ones) and her Beethoven (CRAPPY!).

What ever happened to the old beautiful playing style (her playing the Beethoven, Brahms, and Tschaikovsky)? They had colour, had impeccable dynamic and tempo changes. Those were awesome for a more tonal Mutter.

I have a copy of this CD, and I sort of regreted it... To all of you who are either a Mutter fan or not, LISTEN TO IT FIRST! Shop around, then make up your mind. You may find other better recordings.

A New 20th Century View.......2000-11-02

Right from the opening bars of the Prokofiev piece, the music in this CD simply grips the listener and does not quite let go until the end.

Although I'm a Mutter fan, I've never really gotten the hang of 20th century music (hence only 4 stars) -- it's too fragmented, with ugly sounds and no conventional harmonies. Yet, after listening to this CD, I may well revisit some of those 20th century pieces which I've chucked aside to date. Such is the power of Mutter and Orkis's music-making in this recording.

Mutter is, as usual, her immaculate self and the pieces here allow her to display her astonishing dynamic range and her instrument's versatility. After the thrilling opening piece come the very serene Four Nocturnes by Crumb. Webern's Four Pieces which follow largely preserve this calm, interrupting it periodically with bursts of what I call "20th century virtuosity". The closing piece is Resphigi's B minor sonata for violin and piano. It has shades of drama and grandeur that seem to remind one more of the romantic age than the 20th century, but is overall unmistakably a piece from our times and is a fitting end to this album.

This recording is a must for all 20th century music lovers, and is highly recommended for those who need to be eased into 20th century music -- let Mutter change your mind about the music.

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