Johanna Martzy: Franck and Ravel Piano Sonatas COUP LP/CD001

Track listing

César Franck

Violin Sonata in A

1. Allegro Ben Moderato (5.58)
2. Allegro (8.06)
3. Recitativo Fantasia (7.18)
4. Allegretto Poco Mosso (6.02)

Accompanist: Jean Antonietti

Recorded by VARA Matinee July 15 1959

Used with kind permission of VARA Broadcast Organisation Holland.

Maurice Ravel

Violin Sonata

1. Allegro (8.15)
2. Blues(5.29)
3. Perpetuum Mobile (3.52)

Accompanist: Jean Antonietti

Recorded by VARA Matinee January 27 1965

Used with kind permission of VARA Broadcast Organisation Holland.

Reviews

ICRC, Winter 1997

[Martzy's] many admirers will not be disappointed by this important issue, presenting two major works with her finely attuned regular duo partner. She recorded neither piece commercially and the mono sound is generally excellent.

To hear the beginning of the Franck Sonata is to sense instantly the quality of a performance that evolves from the piano's dreamy opening gesture, taken up by the violin with a pure yet melting tone, both players arching forever forward, thinking in whole phrases at a time. Martzy, with total technical security, commands the greatest range of expression and, in this repertoire, a musical sensibility to match it. The stingingly forward G-string sound (Franck, Allegro) is in greatest contrast and in Ravel's Blues there are even intimations of the Burletta of Bartók's sixth quartet, still 12 years in the future.

Graham Silcock