Hilary Hahn kicks off Deutsche Grammophon's celebration of Mozart Year 2006 with her first-ever Mozart studio recording, a selection of her favorite violin sonatas by the Austrian master.
The 250th anniversary in 2006 of Mozart's birth is sure to be marked by countless reissues of classic albums, but if it also produces a handful of new recordings as rewarding as Hilary Hahn's, we'll really have grounds for celebration. This is Hahn's first Mozart disc, and more surprisingly it's also her first exploration of the duo sonata repertoire, following upon her many critically acclaimed concerto recordings (and her debut, a selection of Bach's solo sonatas and partitas). Hearing her in the more intimate company of pianist Natalie Zhu, a regular recital partner, is like making her acquaintance for the very first time, and Hahn's remarkable gifts shine through in this format, exposing the sensitivity of her musicianship and the flawless warmth of her tone, even under the closest scrutiny. Also apparent are her collaborative skills, for just like another duo who released a fine Mozart sonata disc in 2005 -- Mark Steinberg and Mitsuko Uchida -- Hahn and Zhu have been playing together (and playing Mozart together) for more than a decade, and it shows in every phrase. Although Steinberg and Uchida are more likely to surprise with an unexpected but carefully considered twist of perspective, Hahn and Zhu cultivate a bold and forthright personality, and anyone who knows and loves these sonatas wouldn't want to give up either disc, even if they overlap on two out of four works. Hahn is no stranger to the darker emotions of the E Minor Sonata, K. 304, but it's the three major-mode sonatas (especially the abundantly joyful A Major Sonata, K. 526) that give free rein to her youthful zest and elicit her most memorable performances. With those Mozart-year festivities just around the corner, it's hard to imagine a more auspicious herald than this immensely talented duo. Scott Paulin, Barnes & Noble
| EAC-APE - 290 MB | Booklet Scans "PDF" | MP3 320 Kbps - 170 MB |
TRACK LISTINGS
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756 - 1791)
Sonata for Piano and Violin in F, K.376
1 1. Allegro
2 2. Andante
3 3. Rondo (Allegretto grazioso)
Sonata for Piano and Violin in G, K.301
4 1. Allegro con spirito
5 2. Allegro
Sonata for Piano and Violin in E minor, K.304
6 1. Allegro
7 2. Tempo di minuetto
Sonata for Piano and Violin in A, K.526
8 1. Allegro molto
9 2. Andante
10 3. Presto Hilary Hahn, violin Natalie Zhu, piano
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