Schubert: Violin Sonata in A Major, Fantasie in C Major and Rondo in B Minor Viktoria Mullova & Alasdair Beatson

• Franz Schubert (1797 – 1828): Violin Sonata in A Major, D. 574:
• 1 Schubert: Violin Sonata in A Major, D. 574: I. Allegro moderato 09:01
• 2 Schubert: Violin Sonata in A Major, D. 574: II. Scherzo Presto 04:16
• 3 Schubert: Violin Sonata in A Major, D. 574: III. Andantino 03:48
• 4 Schubert: Violin Sonata in A Major, D. 574: IV. Allegro Vivace 05:11
• Fantasie in C Major, D. 934:
• 5 Schubert: Fantasie in C Major, D. 934: I. Andante molto 03:22
• 6 Schubert: Fantasie in C Major, D. 934: II. Allegretto 05:32
• 7 Schubert: Fantasie in C Major, D. 934: III. Andantino 10:23
• 8 Schubert: Fantasie in C Major, D. 934: IV. Allegro vivace - Allegretto - Presto 06:01
• Rondo in B Minor, D. 895:
• 9 Schubert: Rondo in B Minor, D. 895 15:07
• Total Runtime 01:02:41

Info for Schubert: Violin Sonata in A Major, Fantasie in C Major and Rondo in B Minor

Viktoria Mullova and Alasdair Beatson present their first release with Signum Classics. The works presented on this recording span the final decade of Schubert’s life. Beginning with the Sonata in A of 1817, its lyrical, wistful opening giving way to a Viennese joy and exuberance. Closing with the Rondo in B minor of 1826, thrilling in its heroic journey through an abundance of themes, with twists and turns almost competitively athletic between the two instruments. At the heart of the recording, the Fantasie in C of 1827 – a music unutterably inspired, ravishingly beautiful, a tour de force of colour and texture, an unpredictable and unparalleled dreamlike vision of another world.

Viktoria Mullova is known internationally as a violinist of exceptional versatility and musical integrity. Her curiosity spans the breadth of musical development from baroque and classical right up to the most contemporary influences from the world of fusion and experimental music.

Scottish pianist Alasdair Beatson works prolifically as a soloist and chamber musician. Renowned as a sincere musician and intrepid programmer, he champions wider repertoire with particular interest in Beethoven, Schumann and Schubert among others.

Viktoria Mullova, violin
Alasdair Beatson, fortepiano

Viktoria Mullova
studied at the Central Music School of Moscow and the Moscow Conservatoire. Her extraordinary talent captured international attention when she won first prize at the 1980 Sibelius Competition in Helsinki and the Gold Medal at the Tchaikovsky Competition in 1982 which was followed, in 1983, by her dramatic and much publicized defection to the West. She has since appeared with most of the world’s greatest orchestras and conductors and at the major international festivals. She is now known the world over as a violinist of exceptional versatility and musical integrity. Her curiosity spans the breadth of musical development from baroque and classical right up to the most contemporary influences from the world of fusion and experimental music.

Her interest in the authentic approach has led to collaborations with period instrument bands such as the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, Il Giardino Armonico, Venice Baroque and Orchestre Révolutionnaire et Romantique. She has a close association with harpsichordist Ottavio Dantone with whom she tours and which led Tim Ashley to write, “To hear Mullova play Bach is, simply, one of the greatest things you can experience…” in the Guardian. Her recording of Bach’s solo sonatas and partitas represents a significant milestone in Viktoria’s personal journey into this music. The recording received 5-star reviews from all over the world and she is embarking on an international several season-long, series of solo Bach recitals.

Her ventures into creative contemporary music started in 2000 with her album ”Through the Looking Glass“ in which she played world, jazz and pop music arranged for her by Matthew Barley. Her exploration continues, commissioning works from young composers such as Fraser Trainer and Thomas Larcher and she has recently released a new CD ”The Peasant Girl“, a project with the Matthew Barley Ensemble in which they perform music from a diverse musical canvas with roots in classical, gypsy and jazz. There will be a much-anticipated performance of this project at the BBC Late Night Proms in August 2011 with future concerts in Russia, Paris, Germany, Italy and the UK.

Her rich musical diversity has been celebrated in several high-profile residencies, including London’s Southbank, Vienna’s Konzerthaus and in 10/11 she was the London Symphony Orchestra’s ”Artist in Focus“. In 2011/12 she is Artist in Residence at the Auditorium du Louvre in Paris and Musikfest Bremen.

As a recitalist, she regularly performs with Katia Labèque and she has recently formed a duo with the fortepianist Kristian Bezuidenhout, with whom she has recorded Beethoven sonatas. A familiar face on the international concert scene, she appears regularly with the world’s major orchestras and conductors. In the 11/12 season she appears with, among others, The Philharmonia and Esa-Pekka Salonen, Scottish Chamber Orchestra and Robin Ticciati, Swedish Radio Symphony, again with Esa-Pekka Salonen, Frankfurt Radio Symphony with Paavo Järvi and Russian National Orchestra with Mikhail Pletnev.

Mullova’s extensive discography for Philips Classics has attracted many prestigious awards. Her recording of the Vivaldi Concertos with Il Giardino Armonico and directed by Giovanni Antonini, won the Diapason D’Or of the Year award for 2005 and her most recent release, featuring Beethoven’s Op 12 No 3 and Kreutzer Sonatas with fortepianist, Kristian Bezuidenhout has won immense critical acclaim. Other discs have included the Schubert Octet with the Mullova Ensemble, ”Recital“ with Katia Labèque, Bach Sonatas with Ottavio Dantone and ”6 Solo Sonatas and Partitas“ by JS Bach.

Viktoria either plays on her ‘Jules Falk’ 1723 Stradivarius or a Guadagnini violin.

This album contains no booklet.