Ottorino Respighi - Complete Works for Violin & Piano, Vol. 2 (Ilona Then-Bergh; Michael Schäfer)

Information

• Antonio Vivaldi - Violin Sonata in D Major, P. 84 (arr. Respighi)
• Giuseppe Valentini - Violin Sonata in G Major, P. 80 (arr. Respighi)
• Nicola Porpora - Violin Sonata in D Major, P. 78 (arr. Respighi)
• Francesco Maria Veracini - Violin Sonata in A Minor, P. 81 (arr. Respighi)
• Francesco Maria Veracini - Violin Sonata No. 6, P. 82 (arr. Respighi)
• Francesco Maria Veracini - Violin Sonata No. 8, P. 83 (arr. Respighi)

Ilona Then-Bergh, violin

Michael Schäfer, piano

Date: 2007

Label: Genuin

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Review

Respighi was both a teenage prodigy, revealing flair in every sphere, and – with Malipiero, Casella and others – influential in the rediscovery of early Italian music that had languished neglected for years, such as Frescobaldi and Vivaldi.

Vivaldi features here, though not as the most memorable item. Ilona Then-Bergh and Michael Schäfer are two seasoned Munich-based players: by 19 she was the first-ever female leader of the Bavarian State Orchestra, and later of the Bavarian RSO, whose leading lights included as masterly a violinist as Lorin Maazel.     

The pair have preferred a plainish presentation, perhaps to match turn-of-the-century practice for these arrangements with piano, Schäfer realising his rather restrained accompaniments from a rather stolid-seeming figured bass. The Vivaldi Sonata in D major comes across as a rather surface reading, sweet and charming, determinedly straightforward without much feel of undertow. Giuseppe Valentini’s G major Sonata enlivens in the Vivace, thanks to Schäfer’s scampering drive: overall I find his supportive, sometimes over-legato readings almost too deferential, though mildly more galvanising than hers.

The series’s great asset is this unusual repertoire. The Adagio of the C major sonata by Handel’s London rival Nicola Porpora is beautifully poised: both here and in the Bach-like Adagio, Then-Bergh’s brightly alluring tone finally beams through in bird-like decorations. Three Veracini sonatas, including an A major work launched by a noble Prelude that invites the Kremer treatment, are full of charm (a sprightly Gigue and ensuing Largo stand out), and performers will certainly be grateful for their rediscovery (sonatas nos.7-9 will appear later this year). The Genuin sound is adequate rather than inspiring.    

— Roderic Dunnett

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Ottorino Respighi (9 July 1879 – 18 April 1936) was an Italian composer, violinist, teacher, and musicologist and one of the leading Italian composers of the early 20th century. He studied at the Liceo Musicale di Bologna, and also studied briefly with Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov. His compositions range over operas, ballets, orchestral suites, choral songs, chamber music, and transcriptions of Italian compositions of the 16th–18th centuries, but his best known and most performed works are his three orchestral tone poems which brought him international fame: Fountains of Rome (1916), Pines of Rome (1924), and Roman Festivals (1928).

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Ilona Then-Bergh became the first concertmistress of the Bavarian State Orchestra at just 19, later holding the same role with the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra. She eventually left orchestral performance to focus fully on chamber music and teaching at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater München. Her dedication to chamber music is reflected in her acclaimed CD recordings, earning her multiple German Record Critics' Awards for performances of piano trios by composers such as Saint-Saëns, Schubert, Turina and Shostakovich. She is a member of the piano trio ensemble Then-Bergh – Yang – Schäfer.

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Michael Schäfer, known for his versatility as a soloist, chamber musician and accompanist, performs widely across Europe, Asia and Africa. A professor of piano at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater München since age 31, he has mentored many prize-winning students and serves as a juror at international competitions. Schäfer is especially dedicated to reviving neglected composers, with acclaimed CD recordings that have earned honors such as the Diapason d'Or. His discography includes works by d'Indy, Friedman, Charpentier and others. He also performs in the piano trio Then-Bergh – Yang – Schäfer.

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