Composer: Paul Ben-Haim, Ernest Bloch
Performer: Hagai Shaham, Arnon Erez
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: Hyperion
Catalogue: CDA67571
Release: 2007
Size: 334 MB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes
Bloch: Baal Shem
01. I. Vidui
02. II. Nigun
03. III. Simchas Torah
Bloch: Suite Hébraïque
04. I. Rapsodie
05. II. Processional
06. III. Affirmation
Bloch: Suite for solo violin No. 1
07. I. Prelude
08. II. Andante tranquillo
09. III. Allegro – Andante
10. IV. Allegro energico
Bloch: Suite for solo violin No. 2
11. I. Energico, deciso
12. II. Moderato
13. III. Andante
14. IV. Allegro molto
Ben-Haim: Sonata for solo violin in G, Op 44
15. I. Allegro energico
16. II. Lento e sotto voce
17. III. Molto allegro
18. Ben-Haim: Berceuse Sfaradite
19. Ben-Haim: Improvisation and Dance, Op. 30
This CD of violin works for violin by Ernest Bloch and Paul Ben Haim offers quite a mixed bag in terms of both composition and performance. Bloch is most widely recognized for his compositions that are infused with Jewish and Hebrew folk elements, and with good reason; it is in this idiom that he produced his most easily accessible and enjoyable pieces of music. From this period, this album features the Baal Shem Suite and Suite hébraïque, both written for violin and piano. Not only does this seem to be Bloch’s forte, but violinist Hagai Shaham’s as well. Shaham’s playing in these two works is replete with a heavy right arm; a deep, throaty sound; and fast, aggressive vibrato — in other words, an ideal gypsy-like timbre that suits these compositions perfectly. The two suites for solo violin are a completely different story. Stylistically completely different from the first two works, the suites are much more angular, disjointed, and abstract. Shaham’s playing does very little to clear things up for the listener, and it seems that without the piano to support him, concepts such as pulse and meter are hopelessly lost. What that leaves for the listener is a sense of unbridled chaos and indistinguishable rhythms — not at all a pleasing listening experience. Menuhin’s 1975 EMI recording of these two suites is far preferred and much easier for listeners to digest.
Mix Bartok, Debussy and a dash of Lisztian bravado and youll get something very close to Blochs folksong-inflected, post-Romantic sound-world. Intoxicating performances guaranteed to set the pulse racing is what BBC Music Magazine said in its review of Hagai Shahams first disc of Blochs music for violin and piano on CDA67439. With this new release Hagai completes his survey and adds further delights such as Blochs suites for solo violin and music by Israeli-born composer, Paul Ben-Ham. The Baal Shem Suite, composed in 1923, is unmistakably Bloch, and is his best-known work for violin and piano. It was inspired by Israel Baal Shem Tov, the eighteenth-century founder of modern Hassidism, a mystical movement that arose in Eastern Europe as a reaction against traditional Jewish Orthodoxy, and which placed great emphasis upon song, dance and ecstasy as channels for direct communication with God. Bloch recreates the feeling of ecstatic religious chanting and spiritual intensity with his use of deeply emotional Jewish-tinged melodies, gutsy rhythms and powerful dynamics. Its second movement, Nigun, is in itself a self-standing solo work: a popular choice in standard violin repertoire and with Grade 8 students. As the centrepiece of this disc we have Blochs suites for solo violin. Commissioned byand dedicated toYehudi Menuhin, these short works are latter-day Bach Partitas and elaborate exercises in contrapuntal technique: full of passion, virtuosity and rhythmic dynamism. Paul Ben-Hams most popular work recorded here is the beautiful lullaby Berceuse sfaradite; the violins sensuous lilting melody is repeated in different registers and you can almost picture a balmy Eastern Mediterranean evening. Hagai Shahams thrilling virtuosity and lustrous tone are perfectly suited to these vibrant and passionate works.