Description
Ignace Pleyel: 6 Duos for 2 Violins, Op. 23 | World Premiere Recording | Vilmos Szabadi & Béla Bánfalvi CD
Product Information
- UPC: 5991813262523
- Product Type: Classical Music CD
- Format: CD Album
- Label: Hungaroton Classic (HCD 32625)
- Genre: Classical
- Recording Type: DDD (Digital Recording)
- Total Running Time: 65'06"
- Release Year: 2010
- Country of Origin: Hungary
- Language of Notes: English, French, German, Hungarian
Overview
This world premiere recording features Ignace Joseph Pleyel's complete set of Six Duos for Two Violins, Op. 23, performed by acclaimed Hungarian violinists Vilmos Szabadi and Béla Bánfalvi. A significant musical discovery, this album presents rarely heard works by the versatile composer, publisher, and piano manufacturer who was once Haydn's favorite pupil. These elegant duos showcase Pleyel's exceptional craftsmanship, melodic invention, and sophisticated harmonic language. Each piece exhibits its own distinct character while maintaining the Classical period's emphasis on clarity, balance, and refinement. From the graceful Rondos to the expressive Adagios, these compositions demonstrate why Pleyel was one of the most celebrated composers of his era. The performances by Szabadi and Bánfalvi capture both the technical brilliance and expressive depth of these compositions with impeccable intonation, seamless ensemble work, and thoughtful interpretations.
Product Features
- Format: CD, DDD (Digital Recording)
- World Premiere Recording
- Recorded at Hungaroton Studio (October 16-18, 2009)
- Scores from Edition Charles Rozsnyai, Budapest
- Comprehensive booklet with notes in English, French, German, and Hungarian
- Production Team: Zsuzsa Dvorák (Producer), Domonkos Timár (Balance Engineer)
- Cover Design: Miklós Juhász
- Booklet Editor: Enikő Gyenge
Program Listing
Ignace Joseph Pleyel (1757-1831): 6 Duos for 2 Violins, Op. 23
- Duo in B flat major No. 1 (9'46")
- I. Allegro
- II. Rondo, Allegro
- Duo in D major No. 2 (11'28")
- I. Allegro
- II. Rondo, Allegro
- Duo in A major No. 3 (9'16")
- I. Adagio
- II. Presto
- III. Menuetto
- Duo in F major No. 4 (12'42")
- I. Allegro
- II. Rondo, Allegretto Grazioso
- Duo in C major No. 5 (10'18")
- I. Allegro Vivace
- II. Rondo, Allegro Non Troppo
- Duo in E minor No. 6 (10'47")
- I. Adagio
- II. Allegro
Interesting Facts
Ignace Pleyel: Mozart's Admired Contemporary Ignace Joseph Pleyel (1757-1831) was born in Austria and studied with Franz Joseph Haydn, becoming his favorite pupil. During his lifetime, Pleyel's music was extraordinarily popular, sometimes even rivaling Mozart and Haydn in performance frequency. Mozart praised Pleyel's string quartets in his letters. Beyond composing, Pleyel founded a successful music publishing house and piano manufacturing company in Paris. The Pleyel piano brand became one of the most prestigious in Europe and was the preferred instrument of Frédéric Chopin. Despite his tremendous success during his lifetime, Pleyel's compositions gradually disappeared from the standard repertoire after his death, making this world premiere recording an important rediscovery.
The Art of Violin Duos The violin duo genre, particularly popular during the Classical period, presented unique compositional challenges. Without accompanying instruments, composers needed to create complete harmonic structures and musical interest using just two melodic instruments. Pleyel masterfully addressed these challenges in his Op. 23 duos, creating pieces that are both technically satisfying and musically complete. These works showcase a sophisticated dialogue between equals rather than a principal voice with accompaniment, demonstrating Pleyel's deep understanding of both violin technique and compositional craft.
The Performers This recording features two of Hungary's most distinguished violinists. Vilmos Szabadi is one of Hungary's best-known violinists, performing regularly as a soloist and chamber musician both in his homeland and in major concert halls worldwide. His recordings for Hungaroton Classic have won major awards at the MIDEM Festival in Cannes (1999, 2002), and his artistry was recognized with the Liszt Award in 1992. Béla Bánfalvi, born in Budapest in 1954, studied at the Liszt Academy where he later taught. His impressive career includes serving as concertmaster of the State Concert Orchestra (from 1979), membership in the Bartók String Quartet (from 1982), and founding the Budapest Strings chamber orchestra (1985), where he continues to serve as concertmaster and soloist. His accomplishments have been recognized with both the Bartók-Pásztory Award and the Liszt Ferenc Award.
Historical Context of the Works Pleyel composed his Six Duos for Two Violins, Op. 23 during a particularly productive period in Vienna, before his move to Paris. These works reflect the refinement of the late Classical style while hinting at early Romantic sensibilities in their more expressive moments. The compositions were well-received upon publication and were used for both performance and pedagogical purposes. The variety of technical challenges and expressive opportunities presented in these duos made them valuable teaching pieces while maintaining artistic integrity suitable for concert performance.
Hungaroton's Legacy This recording continues Hungaroton's distinguished tradition of bringing lesser-known but significant works to light. Founded in 1951 as the Hungarian state record label, Hungaroton has built an impressive catalog of Hungarian artists and composers, as well as important international repertoire. The company's commitment to high production values and musical discoveries has earned it worldwide recognition, with this Pleyel recording exemplifying their dedication to expanding the recorded classical music repertoire.
Performers
- Vilmos Szabadi, violin
- Béla Bánfalvi, violin
Publishers
Hungaroton Records Kft. (1071 Budapest, Rottenbiller u. 47.) http://www.hungaroton.hu/ E-mail: classic@hungaroton.hu
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