Composer: Robert Schumann, Richard Strauss
Performer: Noé Inui, Vassilis Varvaresos
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: Navis Classics
Catalogue: NC15004
Release: 2015
Size: 268 MB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: cover
Schumann: Violin Sonata No. 2 in D minor, Op. 121
01. Ziemlich langsam – Lebhaft
02. Sehr Lebhaft
03. Leise, einfach
04. Bewegt
Strauss: Violin Sonata in E flat major, Op. 18
05. Allegro, ma non troppo
06. Improvisation, Andante cantabile
07. Finale, Andante – Allegro
International top duo explores the edges of the romantic era, combining Robert Schumann’s second violin sonata with Richard Strauss’ sonata for violin and piano.
When violinist Noé Inui and pianist Vassilis Varvaresos met in 2012 for their first joint rehearsal it was instantly clear to them that their duo would become a long-term co-operation. It is as if they speak the same language, united as they are during their concerts; a quality which is visible and noticeable even in the back row of any concert hall. As a duo they have performed in prime venues in the USA, Japan, Germany, France, Greece, Belgium and the Netherlands.
Comparing and contrasting two monumental violin sonatas by great composers from entirely separate generations can be a fascinating exercise, but in this case only yields incidental relationships. Richard Strauss’s Sonata in E-flat major Op. 18 can be considered a youthful work but, given the extra impetus of inspiration gained from new-found love in his future wife the singer Pauline de Ahna, this is also an uncompromisingly demanding piece which saw the composer at the top of his game at this point in his development. Robert Schumann’s Second Violin Sonata emerged after frustration in his failure to establish himself as a conductor in Düsseldorf but during a period of ongoing compositional productivity before his final illness took hold. Written almost immediately after the First Violin Sonata it can be seen as the big brother to its predecessor; taking the genre further, the trained muscles now set for even more ambitious musical exploration.
Greek/Japanese violinist Noé Inui (1985) has been a prize winner at various international competitions, such as Young Concert Artists New York (1st prize) and the Sibelius Competition, Helsinki (Young Talents’ Award). In 2012 he was awarded the top prize (Prix Julius Baer, Prix d’Excellence) of the Verbier Festival Academy. As a soloist Noé performs frequently with orchestras in Germany, Spain, Greece and Japan. As a chamber musician he has played in many European countries as well as in the USA and Japan. He has shared the stage with artists including Martha Argerich and Leonidas Kavakos. Based in Germany, this multilingual violinist (he speaks five languages fluently) was involved in several international recording projects.
Greek pianist Vassilis Varvaresos (1983) was in 1998 the youngest ever winner
of Young Concert Artists New York. This achievement has been followed by various international prizes, his most recent being 3rd prize at the Enescu Competition in Bucharest in September 2014.
He has performed in many major venues in the USA such as the Morgan Library, the Alice Tully Hall at the Lincoln Center, and the Kennedy Center in Washington. In March 2012 after his first solo recital in Carnegie Hall he was invited by President Obama to perform at the White House.
This ‘Most Promising Young Greek Artist’ also plays as soloist with orchestras as well as in chamber-music recitals and recording projects.