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Cedille

American Viola Works - Rochberg, Jacobi, Shulman, Et Al

$19.99

Details

Composer
ROCHBERG JACOBI SHULMAN POR
Artist
Basrak, Koehler, Koenig
Format
CD
Label
Cedille
Released
Jan 01, 2000
Catalog #
CDR 053
UPC
735131905329

About


It's entirely possible that Cathy Basrak's name is unfamiliar; after all, there are very few violists from any age who have reached any plausible level of stardom (and I'm not even going to begin repeating any one of the vast number of viola jokes that make the rounds). In this instance, the ignominy of Basrak's fine instrument is completely baseless. She possesses a luminous, rounded tone and she is nimble and responsive in even the most technically trying passages. We're told that, having won numerous competitions and having performed as a soloist with Chicago, Detroit, and Philadelphia, among other orchestras, the 24-year-old Basrak currently holds the assistant principal chair in the BSO. I'm positive that a bright future awaits her, judging solely by the merits of this recording.

Aside from her considerable technical prowess, Basrak has thoughtfully assembled an intriguing and decidedly eclectic program. There is a trio of works from the 1940s to consider: Frederick Jacobi's muscular Fantasy for Viola and Piano; Alan Shulman's Theme and Variations, something of a standard in the scanty viola repertoire; and Quincy Porter's Speed Etude, an exhilarating ride for the soloist, dappled by radiant piano accompaniment. Two works from much later dates round out the disc. George Rochberg's 1979 sonata features a strikingly dark and moody Adagio lamentoso, and Lowell Liebermann's vividly colored sonata from 1984 is a recording premiere. The sound is rich and full, with excellent balance between Basrak and her two pianists, William Koehler (who appears on the Jacobi and Liebermann) and Robert Koenig (featured on every other work). [12/26/2001]
--Anastasia Tsioulcas, ClassicsToday.com

Tracklist 9 tracks

  1. 1 I. Allegro moderato 10:11
    Track
    1
    Title
    I. Allegro moderato
    Duration
    10:11
    Composer
    George Rochberg
    Performer
    Cathy Basrak, Robert Koenig
  2. 2 II. Adagio Lamentoso 07:06
    Track
    2
    Title
    II. Adagio Lamentoso
    Duration
    07:06
    Composer
    George Rochberg
    Performer
    Cathy Basrak, Robert Koenig
  3. 3 III. Fantasia: Epilogue 02:58
    Track
    3
    Title
    III. Fantasia: Epilogue
    Duration
    02:58
    Composer
    George Rochberg
    Performer
    Cathy Basrak, Robert Koenig
  4. 4 Fantasy for Viola and Piano 09:47
    Track
    4
    Title
    Fantasy for Viola and Piano
    Duration
    09:47
    Composer
    Frederick Jacobi
    Performer
    Cathy Basrak, William Koehler
  5. 5 Theme and Variations 14:02
    Track
    5
    Title
    Theme and Variations
    Duration
    14:02
    Composer
    Alan Shulman
    Performer
    Cathy Basrak, Robert Koenig
  6. 6 Speed Etude 02:21
    Track
    6
    Title
    Speed Etude
    Duration
    02:21
    Composer
    Quincy Porter
    Performer
    Cathy Basrak, Robert Koenig
  7. 7 I. Allegro Moderato 08:53
    Track
    7
    Title
    I. Allegro Moderato
    Duration
    08:53
    Composer
    Lowell Liebermann
    Performer
    Cathy Basrak, William Koehler
  8. 8 II. Andante 08:57
    Track
    8
    Title
    II. Andante
    Duration
    08:57
    Composer
    Lowell Liebermann
    Performer
    Cathy Basrak, William Koehler
  9. 9 III. Recitativo 07:24
    Track
    9
    Title
    III. Recitativo
    Duration
    07:24
    Composer
    Lowell Liebermann
    Performer
    Cathy Basrak, William Koehler