Christian Sinding - Violin Sonatas (Dora Bratchkova; Andreas Meyer-Hermann)

Information

Composer: Christian Sinding

• Violin Sonata in F Major, Op. 73
• Scènes de la vie, Op. 51
• Sonate im alten Stil, Op. 99
• Romance in E Minor, Op. 9

Dora Bratchkova, violin

Andreas Meyer-Hermann, piano

Date: 2004

Label: CPO

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Review

Even though Christian Sinding is remembered almost exclusively for the piano piece Rustle of Spring, he was regarded in his lifetime as the most important Norwegian composer after Grieg, and a stalwart of late Romanticism in the face of encroaching modernism. Had he not lived and composed well into the twentieth century but remained a popular figure of the fin de siècle, Sinding might be judged more fairly for his charming melodies, agreeably wayward harmonies, and effervescent style, and not discounted for his conservative tendencies or supposed lack of originality. Yet if one listens to his music for violin and piano on this 2004 CPO release, Sinding seems a more capable, congenial, and interesting composer than preconceptions might allow. Except for the Romance, Op. 9 (1886), which can only be considered a treacley imitation of Brahms, Sinding's other works on this album merit serious attention for their technical and expressive achievements. Most significant are the Sonata in F major, Op. 73 (1905), in which Sinding exhibits remarkably fluid and attractive melodic lines that sustain the expansive movements; and the Sonate im alten Stil, Op. 99 (1909), which offers much more emotional depth than its pastiches of Baroque dance forms might suggest. Somewhat frothier and less impressive are the four Scènes de la vie, Op. 51 (1900), which are vaguely programmatic parlor pieces in a Bildungsroman vein; yet even these have some delightfully brilliant passages for the violin, and a few quirky harmonic progressions reminiscent of Schumann. Violinist Dora Bratchkova and pianist Andreas Meyer-Hermann bring a great deal of warmth and personality to their performances, which matter more in Sinding's ingratiating music than exacting precision or tight coordination, which are not this duo's chief aims. CPO's sound quality is, as usual, exceptional.

— Blair Sanderson

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Christian Sinding (1856–1941) was a Norwegian composer. He studied in Oslo and later at the Leipzig Conservatory in Germany under Salomon Jadassohn. Best remembered today for his lyrical piano work Frühlingsrauschen (1896), his works include over 130 opus numbers: four symphonies, three violin concertos, a piano concerto, an opera, and about 250 songs. Sinding's music combines the chromaticism of Liszt and Wagner with Nordic lyricism. Though celebrated in his time, his legacy was tarnished by a late-life affiliation with the Nazi Party. Modern scholarship and recordings are helping to revive interest in his music.

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Dora Bratchkova (born 19 August 1957 in Vidin) is a Bulgarian violinist. Winner at major international competitions, she has performed across Europe and Japan as a soloist and chamber musician, collaborating with notable conductors like Stanisław Skrowaczewski and Emmanuel Krivine. Her recordings feature works by composers such as Stravinsky and Shostakovich, released on labels like CPO and Koch International. Bratchkova has been professor of violin at the Mannheim University since 2003, and first concertmaster of the Deutsche Radio Philharmonie Saarbrücken Kaiserslautern since 2007.

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