Ray Chen Virtuoso: Bach, Franck, Tartini, Wieniawski
Classical
| May 2011
Reviews
Larry Koran
Reviewed 2011-05-31
Reviewed 2011-05-31
Chen, Ray / Ray Chen, Virtuoso
Label: Sony Classical
Larry K.
Reviewed 2011-05-28
RAY CHEN: Virtuoso (Bach, Franck, Tartini, Wieniawski)
Sony Classical, 2011
CLASSICAL. Winner of the Queen Elisabeth Competition (2009) and the Yehudi Menuhin Competition (2008), Ray Chen is a compelling young violinist. The Devil’s Trill Sonata by Tartini (1692-1770), who composed more than 100 violin concertos and sonatas, opens with a mysterious and beautiful introduction demanding progressively more virtuosity. Many violinists regarded it as too difficult to play. JS Bach’s Chaconne from the Partita in D Minor is a hauntingly beautiful series of variations that stay in the mind long after first hearing. Wieniawski (1835-1880) was a child prodigy violinist who began composing after meeting Chopin. Légende was written when his beloved’s parents opposed his engagement; it changed their minds. Franck (1822-1890) composed his Violin Sonata, one of his most popular works, as a wedding gift for the violinist Eugène Ysaÿe.
1. (3:15) Tartini, Devil’s Trill. Slow, melancholic.
2. (4:07) Tartini, Devil’s Trill. Upbeat, 4/4, minor key, bouncy.
3. (7:40) Tartini, Devil’s Trill. Minor, rapid and lyric interludes alternate
4. (15:25) Bach, Chaconne. Lyric, dramatic, inspiring variations
5. (7:54) Wieniawski. Légende. Minor key, a singing melody of love.
6. (12:09) Wieniawski. Variations. Virtuoso variations on a heroic theme
7. (6:15) Franck. Sonata. Allegretto. Bittersweet melody, yearning
8. (8:26) Franck. Sonata. Allegro. Agitated ascending melody, reaching sunlight, plunging back,
9. (7:47) Franck. Sonata. Recitativo. Brooding, impassioned, rhapsodic
10. (6:25) Franck. Sonata. Allegretto. Cheerful, celebratory.
Label: Sony Classical
Larry K.
Reviewed 2011-05-28
RAY CHEN: Virtuoso (Bach, Franck, Tartini, Wieniawski)
Sony Classical, 2011
CLASSICAL. Winner of the Queen Elisabeth Competition (2009) and the Yehudi Menuhin Competition (2008), Ray Chen is a compelling young violinist. The Devil’s Trill Sonata by Tartini (1692-1770), who composed more than 100 violin concertos and sonatas, opens with a mysterious and beautiful introduction demanding progressively more virtuosity. Many violinists regarded it as too difficult to play. JS Bach’s Chaconne from the Partita in D Minor is a hauntingly beautiful series of variations that stay in the mind long after first hearing. Wieniawski (1835-1880) was a child prodigy violinist who began composing after meeting Chopin. Légende was written when his beloved’s parents opposed his engagement; it changed their minds. Franck (1822-1890) composed his Violin Sonata, one of his most popular works, as a wedding gift for the violinist Eugène Ysaÿe.
1. (3:15) Tartini, Devil’s Trill. Slow, melancholic.
2. (4:07) Tartini, Devil’s Trill. Upbeat, 4/4, minor key, bouncy.
3. (7:40) Tartini, Devil’s Trill. Minor, rapid and lyric interludes alternate
4. (15:25) Bach, Chaconne. Lyric, dramatic, inspiring variations
5. (7:54) Wieniawski. Légende. Minor key, a singing melody of love.
6. (12:09) Wieniawski. Variations. Virtuoso variations on a heroic theme
7. (6:15) Franck. Sonata. Allegretto. Bittersweet melody, yearning
8. (8:26) Franck. Sonata. Allegro. Agitated ascending melody, reaching sunlight, plunging back,
9. (7:47) Franck. Sonata. Recitativo. Brooding, impassioned, rhapsodic
10. (6:25) Franck. Sonata. Allegretto. Cheerful, celebratory.
Recent airplay
Allegro - Quasi Lento - Tempo I (8:26)
consummate classical — Jul 20, 2011
Bach: Chaconne, (from Partita in D minor, BWV 1004)
Mixed Up Class — Jul 18, 2011
Bach, Js. Chacone (From Parita In D Min, Bwv 1004) (15:16)
consummate classical — Jul 06, 2011
Bach, Js. Chacone (From Parita In D Min, Bwv 1004) (15:16)
consummate classical — Jun 29, 2011
Tartini, G. "The Devil's Trill" Sonata, G Min.
Bisous Bojoux — Jun 21, 2011
Allegro Enrgico (4:07)
gilt — Jun 17, 2011
Charting
2011-06-12 — 2011-08-14
Classical/Experimental
| Week Ending | Airplays |
|---|---|
| Jul 24 | 2 |
| Jul 10 | 1 |
| Jul 3 | 1 |
| Jun 26 | 1 |
| Jun 19 | 2 |
Track listing
| 1. | Tartini, G. "The Devil's Trill" Sonata, G Min. Larghetto (3:14) | ||
| 2. | Allegro Enrgico (4:07) | ||
| 3. | Allegro Assai (7:34) | ||
| 4. | Bach, Js. Chacone (From Parita In D Min, Bwv 1004) (15:16) | ||
| 5. | Wieniawski, H. Legende In G Min, Op. 17 (7:49) | ||
| 6. | Wieniawski, H. Variations For Violin & Piano Op. 15 (12:09) | ||
| 7. | Franck, C. Sonata, Violin And Piano, A Maj, Allegretto (6:15) | ||
| 8. | Allegro - Quasi Lento - Tempo I (8:26) | ||
| 9. | Recitativo - Fantasia (7:47) | ||
| 10. | Allegretto Poco Mosso (6:25) |