Warner Classics: Diana Tishchenko — Strangers in Paradise — Ravel, Enescu, Ysaÿe, Prokofiev (CD)

Brand new! Factory packaged! As pictured! Buy with confidence!

Product Details:

• Product Type: Audio CD
• Brand / Label: Warner Classics
• Album Title: Strangers in Paradise
• Violinist: Diana Tishchenko
• Pianist: Zoltán Fejérvári
• Composers: Maurice Ravel, George Enescu, Eugène Ysaÿe, Sergei Prokofiev
• Association: Long-Thibaud-Crespin Competition (1st Grand Prix Jacques Thibaud, 2018)
• Release Year: 2019
• UPC: 095115178126
• Release Number: 095115178126
• Genre: Classical / Violin / Chamber

Product Features

• Format: CD
• Discs: 1
• Total runtime: 73 minutes 51 seconds
• Award sticker: "Le choix de France Musique"
• Manufactured and printed in the EU
• Condition: Brand New, Factory Sealed

Overview

This is the debut disc of Diana Tishchenko, the Ukrainian violinist who took the 1st Grand Prix Jacques Thibaud at the 2018 Long-Thibaud-Crespin Competition in Paris. For a first recording she didn't reach for the obvious; instead she built a programme with a French thread running through it — fantasy, improvisation, and the idea of Paris as a meeting point of outside influences. Hence the title: strangers in paradise.

The repertoire bears that out. Ravel's Second Sonata, with its famous "Blues" movement, brings American jazz into the Paris salon. Enescu's Third Sonata channels Romanian folk fiddling into a concert work of extraordinary colour. Ysaÿe's solo "Ballade" is a Belgian master's tribute to the violin itself, and Prokofiev's dark First Sonata adds a Russian voice. Four outsiders, all drawn into the French orbit.

Tishchenko plays with the technical command the competition recognised, partnered by the excellent Hungarian pianist Zoltán Fejérvári. France Musique picked it as one of its choices, and it's an unusually thoughtful calling-card for a young artist — a recital with a real argument behind it, not just a display of fireworks.

A fine choice for violin enthusiasts, followers of the major competitions, and listeners drawn to 20th-century repertoire with a folk and jazz edge.

Interesting Facts

• The album won Diana Tishchenko the 1st Grand Prix Jacques Thibaud at the 2018 Long-Thibaud-Crespin Competition, whose jury was chaired by Renaud Capuçon.
• Ravel's Violin Sonata No. 2 contains a celebrated central "Blues" movement, reflecting his fascination with American jazz.
• Enescu's Sonata No. 3 is subtitled "dans le caractère populaire roumain" and imitates the inflections of Romanian folk fiddlers in precise notation.
• Ysaÿe's "Ballade" is the third of his six solo violin sonatas, Op. 27, a landmark set written for leading violinists of his day.
• The Long-Thibaud-Crespin Competition has been held in Paris since 1943 and has long been supported by leading performers.
• The disc features piano by Zoltán Fejérvári, a Hungarian pianist who won the Montreal International Musical Competition in 2017.

Track Listing

• Ravel — Sonata No. 2 in G, M.77, for violin & piano (tracks 1–3) — 16:11
• Enescu — Sonata No. 3 in A minor, Op. 25, "Dans le caractère populaire roumain," for violin & piano (tracks 4–6) — 23:56
• Ysaÿe — Sonata No. 3 in D minor, Op. 27/3, "Ballade," for solo violin (track 7) — 6:50
• Prokofiev — Sonata No. 1 in F minor, Op. 80, for violin & piano (tracks 8–11) — 26:40

Total time: 73:51

Publishers

℗ 2019 Parlophone Records Limited; © 2019 Fondation Long-Thibaud-Crespin, under exclusive licence to Warner Classics. Manufactured and printed in the EU.

Bought this debut? A short review helps other listeners discover it.