Walter & Goldmark: Violin Sonatas - Philippe Graffin, Pascal Devoyon

Sonata for Piano and Violin[34'20]Bruno Walter (1876-1962)
1
Allegro con espressione[11'54]
2
Andante serioso[13'08]
3
Moderato[9'18]
Suite for violin and piano No 1 in D major Op 11[29'31]Karl Goldmark (1830-1915)
4
Allegro[4'54]
5
Andante sostenuto[7'21]
6
Allegro ma non troppo[4'55]
7
Allegro moderato quasi Allegretto[4'05]
8
Allegro molto[8'16]

One hearing of this CD is enough to convince the listener that these works of exquisite beauty should be striding with the giants of Romantic violin works—Brahms, Elgar, Franck et al. It is astonishing how two such works could escape 'standard' repertoire recognition for over a century, and Philippe Graffin, together with pianist Pascal Devoyon, clearly relish the warm, passionate, singing melodic lines and harmonies permeating these pieces. Disinclined to favour one movement from the others, it has to be said that the Andante sostenuto from Goldmark's Suite is possibly one of the most heartrending slow movements ever written, played with such compelling beauty and conviction that this interpretation will prove to be the benchmark recording for many years to come.