Composer: Heinrich Wilhelm Ernst
Performer: Ilya Gringolts, Ashley Wass
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: Hyperion
Catalogue: CDA67619
Release: 2008
Size: 253 MB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes
01. Fantaisie brillante sur l’opéra Otello de Rossini, Op. 11
Sechs mehrstimmige Etüden solo violin
02. I. Rondino scherzo: Con spirito
03. II. Allegretto: Con grazia
04. III. Terzetto: Allegro moderato e tranquillo
05. IV. Allegro risoluto
06. V. Air de Ballet: Allegretto con giusto
07. VI. ‘Die letzte Rose’, Variations on The Last Rose of Summer. A. Introduction. Moderato – Theme. Andante non troppo
08. VI. ‘Die letzte Rose’, Variations on The Last Rose of Summer. B. Variation I
09. VI. ‘Die letzte Rose’, Variations on The Last Rose of Summer. C. Variation II
10. VI. ‘Die letzte Rose’, Variations on The Last Rose of Summer. D. Variation III
11. VI. ‘Die letzte Rose’, Variations on The Last Rose of Summer. E. Variation IV. Poco più vivo
12. VI. ‘Die letzte Rose’, Variations on The Last Rose of Summer. F. Finale
13. Élégie, Op. 10
14. Der Erlkönig – Grand Caprice Op. 26
As virtuoso violinist, the Moravian Heinrich Wilhelm Ernst was a legend in his own lifetime. He died before the era of sound-recording, and his personal wizardry and magnetism can only dimly be recaptured in the written testimony of his contemporaries. Yet to a significant extent it lives on in his own works for his instrument: for he was a composer who significantly extended the boundaries and meaning of bravura technique. Unfortunately Ernst has long been the preserve of violin specialists only—unjustly, considering his quality as a musical thinker. As a composer Ernst combined the reckless virtuosity of Paganini and Liszt with a sure instinct for musical substance, putting transcendent violin technique at the service of something more than mere display.
The brilliant Russian violinist Ilya Gringolts, acclaimed for his technical brilliance and inspired interpretations of a range of repertoire, is the ideal performer of these dazzlingly difficult works. He has made many distinguished recordings for Deutsche Grammophon and BIS; this is his first recording for Hyperion. He is partnered by fellow former BBC New Generation Artist Ashley Wass.