Henri Vieuxtemps - Music for Violin and Piano (Carmelo Andriani; Pierluigi Camicia)

Information

Composer: Henri Vieuxtemps

1. Violin Sonata in D Major, Op. 12: I. Allegro assai
2. Violin Sonata in D Major, Op. 12: II. Scherzo. Allegro vivace-trio
3. Violin Sonata in D Major, Op. 12: III. Largo non troppo
4. Violin Sonata in D Major, Op. 12: IV. Rondo. Allegro gioioso
5. 3 Romances sans paroles, Op. 7: I. Chant d'amour
6. 3 Romances sans paroles, Op. 7: II. Désespoir
7. 3 Romances sans paroles, Op. 7: III. Souvenir
8. 6 Morceaux de salon, Op. 22: III. Rêverie
9. 3 Feuilles d'album, Op. 40: I. Romance
10. 3 Feuilles d'album, Op. 40: II. Regrets
11. 6 Morceaux de salon, Op. 22: V. Tarantelle

Carmelo Andriani, violin

Pierluigi Camicia, piano

Date: 2021

Label: Brilliant

-----------------------------------------------------------

Description

The Belgian violinist and composer Henry Vieuxtemps (1820-1881) was one of the great 19th-century virtuosos in the tradition of Paganini, but his music does not belong in the showpiece category, being distinguished more by its attractive lyricism. Vieuxtemps did more than anyone to revive the fortunes of Beethoven’s Violin Concerto after decades of neglect, and his own concertos for the instrument share the patient, majestic character of that work rather than Paganini's fiendish wizardry.

It seems typical of Vieuxtemps that the viola was his preferred position in a string quartet, and he wrote a fine sonata for the instrument which is now much better known and more frequently recorded than the earlier and undeservedly neglected Violin Sonata which Carmelo Andriani presents here to open his attractive recital. The Sonata’s scherzo is a fine example of the unpretentious charm and grace which Vieuxtemps cultivated in his music, while the following Largo opens out from its hymn-like theme towards a climax of quasi-religious intensity and radiance. There is a notable absence of conventionally violinistic fireworks to the finale; this new recording restores to the catalogue a substantial contribution to the violin-sonata literature.

Carmelo Andriani has dedicated the rest of the album to shorter pieces in a salon style. The trio of Romances sans paroles opens with a lovely Chant d’amour, and closes with a Souvenir of Mendelssohnian grace and lightness. The third of 6 Morceaux de salon Op.22 (1846) is an Adagio entitled Rêverie which builds to a passionate climax, and the album closes out in flamboyant style with the fifth piece in the set, a whirling Tarantella. In between, Carmelo Adriani treats us to the first two of the three Feuilles d’Album Op.40: a soulful Romance followed by the yearning melody of Regrets.

Born in Bari, Carmelo Adriani enjoys an international career as a soloist, chamber musician and teacher. This is his second album for Brilliant Classics, after a critically acclaimed debut of the violin music by Michele Esposito (95102).

-----------------------------------------------------------

Henry Vieuxtemps (17 February 1820 – 6 June 1881) was a Belgian violinist and composer. A prodigy, he studied with Charles Auguste de Bériot in Brussels, Simon Sechter in Vienna and Anton Reicha in Paris before touring extensively across Europe and the United States. He held teaching positions in St. Petersburg and Brussels. Renowned for his exceptional technical precision and rich tone, Vieuxtemps became one of the leading virtuosos of the 19th century, and his style was widely emulated. As a composer, he was equally innovative, with his violin concertos making important contributions to the development of the form.

***

Carmelo Andriani is an Italian violinist and educator from Bari. He studied with distinguished teachers including Felix Ayo, Riccardo Brengola, Igor Oistrakh, Victor Pikaizen and Uto Ughi. His international career has taken him across Europe, North America and Asia as both a soloist and chamber musician, performing with renowned conductors such as Gianandrea Gavazzeni and Lior Shambadal. Andriani has recorded extensively for major labels and recently released recordings featuring works by Michele Esposito and Tom Cullivan. He currently serves as Professor of Violin at the Conservatory Niccolò Piccinni.

***

Pierluigi Camicia is an Italian pianist from Apulia. He began studying piano at age five and gained national recognition after winning major competitions, including the prestigious Città di Treviso Piano Competition. A prizewinner at both the Ferruccio Busoni and the Chopin International Piano Competitions, he enjoys a distinguished performing career as a soloist and chamber musician, while also teaching masterclasses internationally. In addition, he has served as artistic director of the Talos Festival and the Camerata Musicale Salentina, and was appointed director of the Conservatorio Tito Schipa in 2007.

-----------------------------------------------------------