Bach & Reger: Sonatas & Partitas
One of the many reasons for my writing this Blog is that my work allows me to uncover new and amazing talent. It is really thrilling that young folks continue to emerge, having made a huge commitment to be a classical music performer. See other posts in this Blog for many other young artists, such as pianist Berenika, and more
Sayaka Shoji is a Japanese classical violinist. She is the first Japanese and youngest winner at the Paganini Competition in Genoa in 1999. She was born into an artistic family, and she spent her childhood in Siena, Italy. She studied at Hochschule für Musik in Köln, Germany under Zakhar Bron, and she graduated in 2004. Her other teachers have included Sashko Gawrillow, Uto Ughi and Shlomo Mintz
On this new CD, to be issued in April, 2011, we hear the following:
Bach, J S:
- Sonata for solo violin No. 1 in G minor, BWV1001
- Partita for solo violin No. 1 in B minor, BWV1002
- Partita for solo violin No. 2 in D minor, BWV1004
Reger:
- Chaconne in G minor for Solo Violin, Op. 117 No. 4
- Prelude & Fugues, Op. 117 No. 1
- Prelude & Fugues, Op. 117 No. 2
Sayaka Shoji (violin)
The great, but still neglected composer, Max Reger was an unconditional admirer of J. S. Bach. His works for unaccompanied violin are inspired by the sonatas and partitas of Bach. Here they strike up a dialogue as if between two mirror images, right down their respective chaconnes. A fascinating comparison! Sayaka performs on the 1729 Elman Stradivarius
“An emergent star, no question.” The Independent
“Technically secure and thrillingly passionate.” The Guardian, February 2008
I find Ms. Shoji’s playing to be very lyrical, filled with emotion and having a range of lush colors and moods.
Here is Sayaka Shoji performing the Beethoven Violin Concerto:
And here is a video of Ms. Shoji playing the third movement of the Shostakovich violin concerto number 1:
Tags: Sayaka Shoji, Bach, Reger, Shostakovich