Leila, And Other Assorted Violin Works

A very interesting recital lasting 86 minutes, and stretching to a second disk for the price of one, by violinist Leila Josefowicz and her regular partner on piano John Novacek. Jocefowicz states that she wanted to tour a recital that would be a complete programme and that would stretch her cerebrally, emotionally and technically. The recital covers three distinct areas, beginning with France in the 20th century in the form of Theme and Variations by Messiaen and the Violin Sonata in G Major by Ravel. The Messiaen is an early piece and so still shares some preoccupations with Ravel, although it is a more austere work than the more playful and jazz inflected work of the older composer. The recital then moves to two works for solo violin by contemporary composers, San Andreas Suite by Mark Grey and Lachen Verlernt by Esa-Pekka Salonen. Grey wrote his piece on guitar and the transposition to violin is an interesting one. Salonen's work is an updating off the chaconne and both pieces are virtuosic and involving. To conclude, the recital disk moves back to core repertoire with Beethoven's Violin Sonata No 10, from his heroic middle period, and the dramatic Scherzo in G minor by Brahms. This was one of a clutch of releases rushed out by Warner Classics when it pulled the plug on any new recordings. I think that Josefowicz will continue to have a successful recording career in spite of that industry decision, however.