Schubert / Brahms / Wispelwey / Giacometti - Complete Duos & Phantasie - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

On this generous last installment of their Schubert-Brahms pilgrimage, Pieter Wispelwey and Paolo Giacometti serve us three iconic sonatas, including a world premiere. In it's original hue of G Major, Brahms' first violin sonata op. 78 is more scintillating and transparent than the D-major cell adaptation, and much more enchanting in it's opening Vivace. Brahms' third violin sonata op. 108 fuses surprising ebullience with superior mastery of form, in an epic piece which is an undiluted kick in the groin when played on a cello. And thankfully, Pieter and Paolo revisit Schubert's Arpeggione, that gem of intimacy, fragility, frivolity and humbling, unattainable beauty. A fitting final, in all respects.

Album Tracks 1. Duo No. 1 2. Duo No. 2 3. Fantaisie Brillante Sur Un Motif de Bellini 4. Introduction Et Variations Sur Un Thème Suisse 5. Souvenir de Fra Diavolo 6. Fantaisie Sur Des Airs Nationaux Styriens

Both of the song cycles recorded here combine lyricism with powerful storytelling, covering a wide range of emotions that are well suited to the beautiful sonorities and vocal nature of the French horn. Schubert's late 'Schwanengesang' conveys it's pastoral setting, messages of love, pain of separation, and haunted loss so descriptively that the music is just as effective without words. Brahms arranged his 'Zigeunerlieder' or 'Gypsy Songs' from vocal quartets, their Hungarian folk-music character lending themselves superbly to further transcription. Tim Thorpe is gaining a reputation as one of the most accomplished horn players of his generation. He has received extensive orchestral experience as principal horn with several amateur and youth orchestras including the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain and the European Union Youth Orchestra. As an orchestral musician, Thorpe has played principal horn with all the major London orchestras and with other UK orchestras including the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and the Northern Sinfonia.