Signs, Games & Messages: Works for Solo Violin by Bartók and Kurtág

Signs, Games & Messages: Works for Solo Violin by Bartók and Kurtág

£12.99
Total playing time [56:47]

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Simon Smith (violin)

Renowned British violinist and pedagogue Simon Smith makes his Resonus debut with an extraordinary disc of intensely virtuosic works for unaccompanied violin by two Hungarian composers – the late Sonata for Solo Violin by Belá Bartók and Signs, Games & Messages by living composer György Kurtág, who recently celebrated his 90th birthday in 2016.

The idiomatic and skilful writing for solo violin by both of these composers shows the immense range possible on this instrument, taking the performer to the edge of what’s possible. Often lyrical and expressive, often dramatic and atmospheric with folk influences, Simon Smith tackles this repertoire with great dedication and panache.

Album Booklet (PDF)

Tracklist

György Kurtág (b. 1926)
Signs, Games & Messages
for solo violin
1. Perpetuum mobile (A)
2. Doloroso
3. Hommage à J.S.B.
4. Hommage à John Cage
5. In Nomine – all’ongherese
6. The Carenza Jig
7. Perpetuum mobile (B)
8. Calmo, sognando
9. Kromatikus feleselős
10. In memoriam Blum Tamás
11. Népdalféle
12. Perpetuum mobile (C)
13. ... féerie d’automne ...
14. Mensáros László emlékére
15. Panaszos nóta
16. Anziksz Kellerannának
17. ... für den, der heimlich lauschet ...
18. Antifóna Hirominak

Béla Bartók (1881-1945)
Sonata for Solo Violin, Sz 117
19. Tempo di ciaccona
20. Fuga
21. Melodia
22. Presto

“

'His thoughtful, sympathetic performances discern the unique qualities of each. [...] Smith’s strong, clear sound is superbly captured in a space that accentuates the disc’s existential aura of one human alone with little but his own consciousness for company.'

- Gramophone

'His thoughtful, sympathetic performances discern the unique qualities of each. [...] Smith’s strong, clear sound is superbly captured in a space that accentuates the disc’s existential aura of one human alone with little but his own consciousness for company.'
Gramophone

'[...] this luxuriantly detailed reading, matched by a clean-cut recording, will not leave existing Kurtág devotees disappointed.'
The Strad

'Both composers test the violinist's skill to the utmost, but both pieces are written brilliantly for violin. Here Simon Smith brings an understated virtuosity to the music, rarely showing off and always allowing us to hear the real depth in the music'
Planet Hugill

'The pairing of Kurtag’s Signs, Games & Messages from the 1980s with Bartok’s Sonata for Solo Violin of 1944 makes for very interesting listening. [...] All of this is music that inspires repeated listening. A genre that has much to be explored.'
Lark Reviews

Credits
© 2016 Resonus Limited
Ⓟ 2016 Resonus Limited
Catalogue No. RES10167
Producer, engineer & editor: Adam Binks
EAN: 5060262790717
Cover image: Free Curve to the Point – Accompanying Sound of Geometric Curves by Vasily Kandinsky (1866-1944)