Francisco Fullana - Maksimal - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

Sturm,Ruben / Opus Vocale Berlin / Volker,Hedtfeld - Janca Organ And Choir Works 4 [COMPACT DISCS] date 05/13/2016

Spanish violinist Francisco Fullana returns to Orchid Classics with a recital of Spanish music for violin and piano. Described as 'an amazing talent' by Gustavo Dudamel, Fullana has a natural affinity with this repertoire, which includes dazzling virtuoso pieces by the great violinist-composer Pablo Sarasate, as well as the evocative 'Sonata Española' by Joaquín Turina. The recital also features works by several composers from the Catalan region Enrique Granados, Eduardo Toldrà and Joan Manén, all of whom subtly combine characteristic Catalan folk styles with harmonic influences from France.

Spanish-American violinist Francisco Fullana has taken the Partita No. 3 in E by J.S. Bach and built around it a programme of interlinked yet contrasting works, resulting in an original and intricately constructed album. J.S. Bach's output has had a far-reaching impact, casting the Long Shadow that gives this album it's name. Fullana uses gut strings, a baroque bow and historically informed ornamentation for his performance of Bach's E minor Partita, creating a pared-down, immediate interpretation. Ysaÿe was inspired to write his Op. 27 Sonatas after hearing Bach's Sonatas and Partitas. Yet whereas Bach's music demands restraint from the performer, Ysaÿe's encourages virtuosity. There is darkness in this Sonata, too, and Fullana performs the work with electrifying energy. Fritz Kreisler's Recitativo & Scherzo was dedicated to Ysaÿe, and Fullana feels a special kinship with Kreisler he plays Kreisler's first Guarneri violin, the 1735 'Mary Portman' Guarneri del Gesù. The recital culminates in Ysaÿe's Sonata for Two Violins. Ysaÿe wrote the work to perform with Queen Elisabeth of Belgium, who gave her name to a violin competition that was most recently won by violinist Stella Chen, Fullana's duo partner on this album.