An entire album of twentieth-century solo violin music may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but in her latest BIS release Sueye Park delivers what can only be described as a phenomenally impressive performance. The genius of the album lies in the programming, which takes a musical snapshot of relatively neglected pieces (to non-violinists), in a range of forms; by composer, violinists, and those with a visionary approach to writing creatively for the violin. The program runs chronologically from Max Reger to Krzysztof Penderecki, who’s 2008 piece ‘Capriccio’ is an appropriate showcase finale to the entire experience.
Park sets the bar very high in Reger’s ‘Prelude and Fugue’. With its quasi-Bachian approach, the ‘Prelude’ evolves organically; the tone unfaltering, vibrato measured and the stopped chords executed with pinpoint precision. Park maintains spontaneity on the runs, evoking the essence of improvisation. The complexity of the fugue is executed with such conviction and security, Park almost makes this sound effortless.
Fritz Kreisler is known for his many sentimental, sugary and virtuosic showpieces. But his ‘Recitativo and Scherzo-Caprice’ Op. 6 is a serious work with its neo-Baroque and Paganinian influences. The technical skill Park exhibits here is impressive, but it’s not just treated as an exercise; here the musicality and expression is in equal abundance. Park extends these shows of mastery and prowess through Eugène Ysaÿe’s ‘sonata in E major for solo violin’.
In the musical languages of Sergei Prokofiev, Mieczysław Weinberg, Alfred Schnittke and Krzysztof Penderecki Park finds the silvery threads that unite them, but shines different lights on each to bring contrasting colors and emotions. The Prokofiev ‘sonata in D major for solo violin’ has moments akin to his ‘Classical Symphony’ or the dances from ‘Romeo and Juliet’. Park finds the dance and sunshine, emphasizing the gentle lyricism.
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The beauty of the program is evident in the placing of Weinberg’s second sonata directly after the Prokofiev. Its warmth gives way to something chillier. Park finds the similarities and differences which makes the juxtaposition of these two pieces work so well. Her playing is highly articulate and deeply expressive, without the slightest hint of being mechanical, taking the program emotionally in a completely different direction.
Isang Yun’s ‘Königliches Thema’ punctuates the unfamiliar repertoire with a hark back to an earlier age — echoing the Reger from earlier in the program. Using Bach’s theme from ‘Musikalisches Opfer’, Yun gives a very contemporary take on this as the piece unfolds. Park executes this highly demanding work with impressive skill and inherent musicality which unites the performances on the album.
This is an immaculately presented BIS release. Recorded over four days in Jesus-Christus-Kirche, Berlin, the excellent SACD recording catches all the colors Park draws from her Ferdinando Gagliano violin of 1785. Booklet notes are intelligently written by Park herself, exhibiting genuine warmth and insight into the pieces. The program may have its challenges, but the conviction and assurance Park delivers here make it a highly recommended listen.
“Journey Through a Century”
Works by Reger, Kreisler, Ysaye, Strauss, Prokofiev, Weinberg, Yun, Schnittke, Penderecki
Sueye Park – Violin
BIS records, hybrid SACD 2492
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