Brahms, Bridge, Enescu, Et Al / Rysanov, Chang

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MUSIC FOR VIOLA • Maxim Rysanov (va); Evelyn Chang (pn) • AVIE 2111 (68:34)


BRAHMS (arr. Rysanov) Scherzo in c, “F.A.E. Sonata.” GLINKA Viola Sonata in d. ENESCU Concert Piece. BRIDGE Pensiero. Allegro appassionato. FRANCK (arr. Rysanov) Violin Sonata in A. TABAKOVA Whispered Lullaby


Young Ukrainian-born Rysanov tears into this music like a prime-time cold warrior. The fierceness seems to suit the Brahms—the Scherzo from the collaborated “F.A.E. Sonata”—to a tee, and I wondered aloud if Brahms ever considered scoring it for the instrument himself. The rich tone of the viola melds perfectly with the repeated, dramatic rhythmic motion that serves as Brahms’s structural Leitmotif , and the result is quite a gallop indeed, paralleling the excitement of Schubert’s Erlkönig.


The Glinka is of course a viola mainstay, and while Rysanov doesn’t have the tonal allure of the milk-chocolate sound that Yuri Bashmet supplies on his superb RCA recording, he certainly equals the extraordinary efforts of Michael Zaretsky on the Fanfare approved “Black Snow” album (22:5). And comparison to Bashmet is perhaps unfair—few artists produce the kind of sound he does, and I would not want anyone to think that Rysanov’s is not up to snuff—far beyond that rather placid category, in fact. The two Bridge pieces sit as curiosities in the middle of this recital, but worthwhile nonetheless, a true contrast in style and mood given in a seven-minute period.


Enescu never ceases to amaze me. Something as innocently titled as Concert Piece turns out to be an intense rhapsody that can out-Brahms Brahms himself, and the composer certainly did not short-change either the viola or the piano, infusing both parts with drama, virtuosity, and almost out-of-control feeling. I can only imagine what would have happened if the work had been longer than nine minutes.


The real surprise here is the sensational performer-arranged version of the Frank Violin Sonata. Comparisons are almost superfluous, as we all have our favorite violinists, and this work is hardly under-recorded. But on viola? I have never liked the composer-penned cello arrangement, so I was quite leery of this one. That is, until about 20 bars into it. What a tempestuous torrent of passion the artist takes us on! There are no tricks here, as Rysanov even drops octaves when needed in order to maintain the integrity of the line, but his sound is so persuasive and gripping that this reading has rocketed up to the top of my list, no matter what instrument. I would be remiss indeed if I didn’t mention the thundering contributions of pianist Evelyn Chang to this entire recital, looking every bit the wisp of a girl judging from the cover photo, but getting a sound worthy of Liszt.


The last piece is a contemporary work called Whispered Lullaby , and it makes for a fine come-down after so seething a session. This is definitely an artist to be on the lookout for, and Avie’s unique partnering structure pays off here in a big way. The sound is a little bright, perhaps a suggestion of stainless steel vs. the oak of a place like Kingsway Hall (it was in fact recorded in Potton Hall, Suffolk), but sympathetic to detail and dynamics. I can offer no less than the strongest recommendation.


FANFARE: Steven Ritter


Product Description:

  • Release Date: September 01, 2006


  • Catalog Number: AV2111


  • UPC: 822252211122


  • Label: AVIE Records


  • Number of Discs: 1


  • Composer: César Franck, Frank Bridge, George Enescu, Johannes Brahms, Mikhail Glinka


  • Performer: Evelyn Chang, Maxim Rysanov