Joshua Bell’s recording titled “French Impressions”, offers a passionate interpretation of violin and piano works by Camille Saint-Saens, Maurice Ravel, and Cesar Franck. This is a wonderful performance, as assisted by Mr. Bell’s long term accompanist, pianist Jeremy Denk.
We get to enjoy the following:
Camille Saint-Saens: 1. Sonata No. 1: Allegro agitato 2. Sonata No. 1 for Violin and Piano in D minor, Op. 75: Adagio 3. Sonata No. 1 for Violin and Piano in D minor, Op. 75: Allegretto moderato 4. Sonata No. 1 for Violin and Piano in D minor, Op. 75: Allegro molto
Cesar Franck: 5. Violin Sonata in A Major: Allegretto ben moderato 6. Allegro 7. Recitativo – Fantasia: ben moderato – molto lento 8. Violin Sonata in A Major: Allegretto poco mosso
Maurice Ravel: 9. Sonata for Violin and Piano (1927): Allegretto 10. Blues: Moderato 11. Sonata for Violin and Piano (1927): Perpetuum Mobile: Allegro
There is a strong sense of wonderful interplay and communication between these two fine artists. Ravel’s bluesy violin sonata has an airy quality, which Joshua Bell plays with fire and finesse, with Jeremy Denk as a powerful ally. Cesar Franck’s sonata is played very majestically here, and it forms the centerpiece of this excellent album.
Here are Joshua Bell and Jeremy Denk Playing Franck’s Sonata in A major for Violin and Piano, the 4th Movement:
And while this music is not on this recording, here are Yuja Wang and Joshua Bell playing Beethoven’s Kreutzer sonata, the 3rd movement:
