Various Artists - Transforming Viola - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

In a score the viola part is generally used for middle voices; less usually for soloistic purposes. On the other hand, with it's dark velvet-like timbre and warm sound spectrum the viola possesses a distinguished charm. These characteristics were actually only disclosed at the end of the 19th century. Moreover, the technique of viola playing kept developing from then on constantly. Violists on their side, began to arrange shorter but very well-known pieces for their instrument themselves. What resulted was nothing less than little treasures, gems. Eberhard Klemmstein selected a number of these wonderful offers which he arranged partially himself and which, however, he had not yet recorded and published. Together with his pianist, Oda Schmidt, he goes on a stroll through the world of shorter encore pieces of the romantic and late-romantic eras. In the middle are placed the very rarely heard InchHebrew MelodiesInch by Joseph Joachim, originally written for the viola and Klemmstein's own Viola Sonata from 2013. Thus, the present album is a goldmine not only for fans of the viola but also for professionals, while being an enriching discovery for all lovers of classical music.

Album Tracks 1. Allegro Energico E Con Fuoco 2. Andante Espressivo 3. Scherzo. Molto Allegro Quasi Presto 4. Finale. Allegro Appassionato 5. That Crazed Smile 6. Allegro Vivace E Con Brio 7. Largo Assai Ed Espressivo 8. Presto 9. Scherzo. Allegro Molto Vivace

The Viola is surely not the most assertive instrument among the string family. It reaches neither the extreme height of the violin nor the rumbling depth and the strength of the cello and contrabass. It's role is more integrating than leading or polarizing; and in brilliance, maneuverability and sound projection the violin wins hands down. But if a composer wants to express his or her feelings with maximum intensity and depth, he chooses the viola remarkably often. The loss of a loved one, a repressive political system, persecution and war were more than once the motivation for the composing of music with the viola as the most important voice for expressing the underlying emotions. The dark, somewhat veiled sound of the instrument makes it particularly suited to such a role. On this album, the second of two, we have recorded Mendelssohn, Gal, Shostakovich and Hindemith. Compositions for viola and piano in which oppression, both personal and political, has played, directly or indirectly, an unmistakable role. Album Tracks 1. Sonata for Viola and Piano (1824) 2. Sonata Op 101 for Viola and Piano (1941) 3. Impromptu for Viola and Piano (1931) 4. Sonata for Viola and Piano (1939)