Composer: Camille Saint-Saëns
Performer: Philippe Graffin, Pascal Devoyon
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: Hyperion
Catalogue: CDA67100
Release: 1999
Size: 286 MB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes
Violin Sonata No. 1 in D minor, Op. 75
01. I. Allegro agitato
02. II. Adagio
03. III. Allegro moderato
04. IV. Allegro molto
Violin Sonata No. 2 in E flat major, Op. 102
05. I. Poco allegro
06. II. Scherzo
07. III. Andante
08. IV. Allegro grazioso
Triptyque Op. 136
09. I. Prémice
10. II. Vision congolaise
11. III. Joyeuseté
12. Elégie, Op. 143
13. Elégie, Op. 160
14. Berceuse in B flat major Op. 38
This selection of music for violin and piano spans many years of Saint-Sanss life from 1871 to 1920. Within it we can hear the variety of writing styles that Saint-Sans used – the Sonata No 1 of 1885 is designed like Beethovens ‘Kreutzer’ Sonata, with a romantic Lisztian feel; the Sonata No 2, completed eleven years later, shows a clear classical leaning (it was first heard at a concert held in 1896 to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of his first performance as an eleven year old!) The Berceuse dates from 1871 and is dedicated to Paul Viardot, the violinist son of the celebrated singer Pauline Viardot, a close friend. A calm serene work, it has a simple, memorable melodic quality that places it close to Saint-Sans’s best-known piece, The Swan. Philippe Graffin and Pascal Devoyon make a winning partnershipthe proof of which can be seen in the reviews from their other discs on Hyperion in which they perform together. This disc is sure to receive an equal amount of praise.