Brilinsky’s intention is ‘not to emphasize technique, but rather sound, and above all the magnificent music must be paramount. Polyphonic like Bach, Ysaÿe also gives...

Brilinsky’s intention is ‘not to emphasize technique, but rather sound, and above all the magnificent music must be paramount. Polyphonic like Bach, Ysaÿe also gives a specific stylistic portrait of each of the six violinists the sonatas were composed for.’ Ysaÿe knew them all personally; several were associated with the Vienna Philharmonic, as he himself was, thus bringing together different European schools of violin playing. Maxim Brilinsky does not, however, approach all the great technical demands, the subtleties and individual portraits, solely in consideration of the expressive virtuosity of their dedicatees. Further highlighting association with the Vienna school, Brilinsky plays a violin made in 1862 by the Vienna luthier Gabriel Lemböck, who was also responsible for string instruments of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, founded in 1842.