Ysaÿe: 6 Violin Sonatas, Op. 27 Niklas Walentin

• Eugène Ysaÿe (1858 - 1931): Violin Sonata in G Minor, Op. 27 No. 1:
• 1 Violin Sonata in G Minor, Op. 27 No. 1: I. Grave 05:05
• 2 Violin Sonata in G Minor, Op. 27 No. 1: II. Fugato 05:25
• 3 Violin Sonata in G Minor, Op. 27 No. 1: III. Allegretto poco scherzoso 04:50
• 4 Violin Sonata in G Minor, Op. 27 No. 1: IV. Finale. Con brio 03:29
• Violin Sonata in A Minor, Op. 27 No. 2:
• 5 Violin Sonata in A Minor, Op. 27 No. 2: I. Prélude (Obsession) 02:43
• 6 Violin Sonata in A Minor, Op. 27 No. 2: II. Malinconia 02:43
• 7 Violin Sonata in A Minor, Op. 27 No. 2: III. Danse des ombres - Sarabande 05:06
• 8 Violin Sonata in A Minor, Op. 27 No. 2: IV. Les furies 04:20
• Eugène Ysaÿe:
• 9 Violin Sonata in D Minor "Ballade", Op. 27 No. 3 08:19
• Violin Sonata in E Minor, Op. 27 No. 4:
• 10 Violin Sonata in E Minor, Op. 27 No. 4: I. Allemanda 05:38
• 11 Violin Sonata in E Minor, Op. 27 No. 4: II. Sarabande 03:27
• 12 Violin Sonata in E Minor, Op. 27 No. 4: III. Finale 03:18
• Violin Sonata in G Major, Op. 27 No. 5:
• 13 Violin Sonata in G Major, Op. 27 No. 5: I. L'aurore 05:06
• 14 Violin Sonata in G Major, Op. 27 No. 5: II. Danse rustique 06:57
• Violin Sonata "Unfinished", Op. 27 No. 6bis:
• 15 Violin Sonata "Unfinished", Op. 27 No. 6bis: I. Allegro molto moderato ma con brio 04:48
• 16 Violin Sonata "Unfinished", Op. 27 No. 6bis: II. Canzona 03:54
• 17 Violin Sonata "Unfinished", Op. 27 No. 6bis: III. Finale 01:35
• Eugène Ysaÿe:
• 18 Violin Sonata in E Major, Op. 27 No. 6 09:02
• Total Runtime 01:25:45

Info for Ysaÿe: 6 Violin Sonatas, Op. 27

Eugène Ysaÿe was a towering figure in the history of the violin. He composed a number of important works, most inspirationally the cycle of Six Sonatas for Solo Violin, Op. 27 published in 1924, which rank among the greatest and most demanding. A different version of number 6—an unfinished version—was found in the Lavergne Manuscript in 2017. Here is a world premiere recording in its entirety, as it was left by the composer.

“To study, perform—and as a result—record all six sonatas for solo violin by Eugène Ysaÿe has been a lifelong dream, which always has been close to my hart, and in my conscience, it has been a motive for my development as a violinist and musician. When I learned of the unknown, and unfinished, sonata found in one of Ysaÿe’s drafts—known as the Lavergne-manuscript—I felt it was the obvious opportunity to start what has been one of the most enriching travels through music.

These six works represent all the parameters that I daily strive to present as a violinist and musician: an unlimited technical ability, an eternal musical innovation and a strong imaginative storytelling. It is very few violinists, that reaches to devote their time with more than a couple of Ysaÿe’s sonatas, but for me Ysaÿe’s own motivation to write these sonatas are more than enough cause to play them all.

The thought—even if you have reached a star-status like Ysaÿe had, of showing your humble respect for one of world history’s most musical geniuses, J.S. Bach, by composing 6 works for Solo violin like the master himself, and then, dedicate each and every one to a dear friend and colleague. It shows, in my mind, a strong human value, which I privately always have wanted to be—a real Gentleman.” (Niklas Walentin)

Niklas Walentin, violin

Niklas Walentin
Danish/Swiss, born in 1994, began playing violin at the age of six. ​

He has been described to have a unique style of playing, which combines a strong traditional, and old fashioned playing with an innovative approach to the world of classical music. This style has, despite his young age, broad him everywhere as a celebrated soloist, from concerts at Carnegie Hall in New York to The Mariinsky theater in Sct. Petersburg.

Niklas Walentin has appeared as a soloist with all the major Danish States orchestras and the National Danish Radio Symphonic Orchestra. He has worked with many of the great international conductors such as Mario Venzago, Marc Soustro, Henrik Schäfer, Jean Thorell, Michael Kuen and Christian Kluxen. Abroad, he has performed as soloist at prestigeous venues like the Philharmonia and The Mariinsky Theater in St. Petersburg, Maison Danois in Paris, Carnegie Hall in New York and the Phillips Collection in Washington. ​

He has represented Denmark at several Festivals, such as Usedom in Germany, Baastad in Sweden, XIX International Music Festival in Ukraine and Larissa Gergieva’s International Music Festival in Vladikavkaz, Russia.

In March 2014 Niklas Walentins first CD was released: Solo Violin, with works by Bach, Paganini, Ysaÿe, Nielsen, Reger and Nørholm.

He's seccond CD was released on the 4th of June 2015, with a recital in Weill Hall - Carnegie Hall, containing works by Carl Nielsen. This recording was also award “Record of the week” by National Danish Radio. In 2015, he was also featured in Professor Mogens Wenzel Andreasen's book "Wonderkids", descriping his early life and his developement of his talent from a family of non-musicians.

In early 2016, he finished recording the American composer Lou Harrison's violin concerto for violin and percussion ensemble. In 2017 he recorded the CD “Around the World” as the duo Walentin & McKenzie. ​

He has currently finished the recording of the collected sonata for solo violin by belgian violin virtuoso Eugéne Ysaÿe, including the unfinished sonata found in the Lavergne manuscript. It will be released on the 13th of September 2020 by Naxos, and has been recorded together with Prof. Michael Brammann and Prof. Hatto Beyerle.

This album contains no booklet.