Fauré and Strauss: Violin and Piano Sonatas. The world’s most well-known violinist, Itzhak Perlman, has a new recording out for his 70th birthday. This project brings Mr. Perlman together with his longtime friend and collaborator, pianist Emanuel Ax, for performances of sonatas by Gabriel Fauré and Richard Strauss – both works, which are new to Perlman’s discography. We get to enjoy the following music: Fauré:
- Violin Sonata No. 1 in A major, Op. 13
Strauss, R:
- Violin Sonata in E flat major, Op. 18
Performed by Itzhak Perlman (violin) and Emanuel Ax (piano). Perlman’s status as an international star was solidified in 2008 when he was honored with a Grammy Lifetime Achieving Award for excellence in the recording arts. During his amazing career, Perlman has also won 15 Grammy Awards, 4 Emmys, a Kennedy Center Honor, a National Medal of Arts and a Medal of Liberty. The Observer wrote on the 13th September 2015: “This is vintage, songful Perlman: each line in the Fauré and Strauss sonatas is beautifully drawn and meticulously judged and everything overlain with an attractive patina of age and experience…it’s as though these two veteran performers are taking a wistful look back over long and eventful careers, while still excited by the possibilities to come. A disc to treasure.” Describing the Fauré sonata, Perlman says: ‘It smells like ambrosia, the essence of French music; a lovely piece. For a violinist, its phrases are a real satisfaction to play, as they are so rich.’ As for the Strauss sonata, Perlman says that it is by the young Strauss, emotionally heroic, and very appassionato. Here is the Fauré Sonata for Violin and Piano No.1 in A, Op.13 – I. Allegro molto:
And next, from the same recording is the Richard Strauss Sonata for Violin and Piano in E flat, Op.18 – I. Allegro ma non troppo:
