An intoxicating programme inspired by childhood
THE STRAD RECOMMENDS
The Strad Issue: January 2025
Description: An intoxicating programme inspired by childhood
Musicians: Johan Dalene (violin) Peter Friis Johansson (piano)
Works: Music by Falla, Kreisler, Maier, Massenet, Ravel, Saint-Saëns, Tchaikovsky and Waxman
Catalogue number: BIS BIS-2770 (SACD)
Norwegian violinist Johan Dalene recalls long car journeys as a young boy, spent listening to virtuoso violin pieces. It confirmed him on a path of study which has led to him being acclaimed as one of the world’s most celebrated young artists.
He has indeed come full circle with this excellent and warmly recorded release of violin favourites – a perfect festive treat. Amid the well-loved items is something of a rarity: Amanda Maier’s Allegro molto. She was the first woman to graduate from the Stockholm Conservatoire in 1869, and in Leipzig she attracted the admiration of Brahms and Grieg. Certainly, her work earns its place among the stellar items, Dalene and Peter Friis Johansson offering a captivating rendition of it. Kreisler’s Recitativo and Scherzo Caprice for unaccompanied violin was written for Ysaÿe and marries dramatic declamation in the recitative with double-stopping bravura in the ensuing caprice. Dalene delivers these with verve and panache.
Ravel’s Tzigane, written for Hungarian virtuoso Jelly d’Arányi, has a similarly melodramatic opening, leaning heavily towards the exoticism of Roma performance, before the brilliant and intoxicating invention envelops us in fiery melodies that are here given with a fervent sense of excitement.
After the winning melodic invention in Tchaikovsky’s Souvenir d’un lieu cher, Waxman’s Carmen Fantasy bewitches, Dalene and Johansson revelling in the passionate and stormy music. Time to play it again in the car.
JOANNE TALBOT
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