Released: 30 March 2018

Reference: AP171

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Credits

Recorded in March 2017 in Bremen (Germany).

Artistic direction and sound engineering: Renate Wolter-Seevers
Editing, mixing and mastering: Maximilien Ciup
Tuning: Martin Henn

Awards

5 DiapasonGramophone Editor's choice
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Released: 30 March 2018

Reference: AP171

Prokofiev: Violin Sonatas

Performers

Composer

Description

From shadow to light: that’s the emotional ascent traced by Sergei Prokofiev's Violin and Piano Sonatas. They were published in the 1940s, an intense period of creation for the Russian musician who then works on his ballet Cinderella and his Fifth Symphony. The violinist Alexandra Conunova, awarded at the prestigious Tchaikovski competition in 2015, and the pianist Michael Lifits are physically involved in their performance of these two scores, which are a perfect synthesis of Prokofiev’s musical style. These sonatas are characterized by a formal classicism subverted by a bold virtuosity. Their lyricism, tormented by the irony of a modern harmonic language that is the outgrowth of a critical vision of the world, is all the more poignant.

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In the press

La jeune violoniste moldave s’affirme dans cet enregistrement avec une personnalité d’une force peu commune. Le violon d’Alexandra Conunova brille dans cette page lumineuse. [...] Une superbe interprétation
Musikzen

This is one of the most enjoyable discs of the two Prokofiev violin sonatas to have appeared in some time.
The Strad

There’s a wealth of detail to savour in these performances, clearly, and insufficient space to share my appreciation. Gramophone

Tracklist

Sergei Prokofiev (1891-1953)

Sonata for Violin and Piano no.1 in F minor, op.80
1. Andante
2. Allegro brusco
3. Andante
4. Allegrissimo

Sonata for Violin and Piano no.2 in D major, op.94a
5. Andantino
6. Scherzo : Allegro
7. Andante
8. Allegro con brio

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