ION VOICU The Decca Recordings
Decca Eloquence 480 7841 (2 CDs) / ****1/2
Those who tuned in to Singapore
Broadcasting Corporation’s 92.4FM stereo classical station during the 1970-1980s
might remember the name of Romanian violinist Ion Voicu (1923-1997), whose
long-playing records were aired in those more interesting and eclectic days of
radio. This album brings together the contents of three LPs dating from 1965 to
1973, never previously issued on CD.
Voicu was born into the Romani
tradition of violin playing, and was a student of Georges Enesco and later
David Oistrakh. This pedigree would account for his playing of refinement and
understated virtuosity, which shuns faceless surface glitz and vulgarity.
The
album’s first disc coupling the popular Mendelssohn (E minor) and Bruch (No.1)
violin concertos is enjoyable for its directness and simplicity of approach. He
is partnered with the London Symphony Orchestra conducted by Rafael Frühbeck de
Burgos.
20th century violin sonatas
make up the balance of the 150 minutes, all of which are tuneful and
accessible. With French pianist Monique Haas, Prokofiev’s Sonata No.2
(originally for flute) and Debussy’s late Sonata make for fascinating
contrasts. The Second Violin Sonata by Darius Milhaud is a delightful
rarity, with folk music influences and pentatonic melodies that remind one of
Chinese music.
The third album includes a thrilling
reading of Ysaye’s unaccompanied Sonata No.5, and has Romanian pianist Victoria Stefanescu
accompanying him in the Second Sonatas of Ravel and Enesco. The Ravel is
famous for its Blues second movement (where violin mimics banjo), while the
slightly more dissonant and darkly-hued Enesco is a real find. Here is a
showcase of violin playing of true distinction.
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