Daniel Hope: Shostakovich Violin Sonata

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Much-praised young violinist Daniel Hope has put together an intelligent survey of late-20th-century works for violin and piano from Eastern Europe. The emphasis in these technically adroit, emotionally overwhelming performances is on the areas of continuity between a comparatively conservative composer such as Shostakovich and the younger composers considered dangerously avant-garde in the conformist cultural politics of socialist realism. Shostakovich's one violin sonata was a product of the period of intense creativity that followed his recovery from his first heart attack; it is a cool, bleak ruminative work that occasionally breaks out into the expression of deep sorrow. The Penderecki Cadenza is a stunningly passionate solo deriving from some of the same material as his viola concerto, the Pärt piece one of his meditations on sound and time. The Schnittke sonata, dominated by a motto derived from his name, is again the work of a dying man and all the more urgent for that. --Roz Kaveney

Tracks:

Son Op.134: I. Andante
Son Op.134: II. Allegretto
Son Op.134: III. Largo - Andante
Cadenza - Daniel Hope
Mirror In The Mirror
Son No.3: I. Andante
Son No.3: II. Allegro
Son No.3: III. Adagio
Son No.3: IV. Senza Tempo
Silent Night

Amazon.com

Much-praised young violinist Daniel Hope has put together an intelligent survey of late-20th-century works for violin and piano from Eastern Europe. The emphasis in these technically adroit, emotionally overwhelming performances is on the areas of continuity between a comparatively conservative composer such as Shostakovich and the younger composers considered dangerously avant-garde in the conformist cultural politics of socialist realism. Shostakovich's one violin sonata was a product of the period of intense creativity that followed his recovery from his first heart attack; it is a cool, bleak ruminative work that occasionally breaks out into the expression of deep sorrow. The Penderecki Cadenza is a stunningly passionate solo deriving from some of the same material as his viola concerto, the Pärt piece one of his meditations on sound and time. The Schnittke sonata, dominated by a motto derived from his name, is again the work of a dying man and all the more urgent for that. --Roz Kaveney

Customer Reviews:

A Violinist of Consummate Skill and Intelligence.......2006-02-14

Daniel Hope my not be a name familiar to the large classical music audience - yet. Given the number of fine young violinists today it is difficult to stay abreast of the spectrum of talent on the concert stage. But Daniel Hope is one of the few who dares to enter territory less popular and seemingly formidable - performing avant-garde works in his growing number of recitals and orchestral soloist appearances - and even recording CDs such as this superb recital of tough music. The recital requires much from the listener but the rewards are immense.

Much of the success of this recording is due to the continued collaboration of Daniel Hope with pianist Simon Mulligan. Their communication is wholly mutual, each enhancing the other in a manner too seldom heard. They open with Dmitri Shostakovich's 'Sonata for violin & piano, Op. 134', a fiery work that challenges technique while it demands soulful commitment to the softer passages. This is followed by the densely difficult Cadenza, for viola solo by Krzysztof Penderecki, a work Hope assays with amazing dexterity. Then as though providing an aural respite, Hope offers Arvo Part's Spiegel im Spiegel for violin & piano' that hangs in space as only Part's works can.

Hope has become a major proponent of the music of Alfred Schnittke and the recital is completed by two very fine works - 'Sonata for violin & piano No.3' and 'Silent Night (Stille Nacht), for violin & piano'. The ease with which both musicians move among this repertoire is laudable and despite the fact that this recital may not find its way on the recurring playing platform of those fortunate enough to purchase this recording, it will serve notice of a fine violinist who seems unafraid of any challenges. Highly recommended. Grady Harp, February 06

Track Listings:

Track Listings

track listings

Track Listings

The Rubble Collection, Vol. 1-10 [Box set] [Import]

Bach: Complete Violin Sonatas 2

As & Bs Scrapbook [Import]

The Famous JATP Performances [Live] [Import]

Running Back Thru Canada [Live] [Import]

Bringing the Heat

Ballads

Brahms: Tragic Overture in Dm Op81; Symphony in D No2, Op73

Best of Donovan Live [Import]

Below Zero

American Water

30 Pegaditas Originales, Vol. 2

20 Grandes Exitos [Import]

A Celebration of Life

Set It Up