Search - Max Reger :: Max Reger: Three Sonatas For Unaccompanied Violin

Behold The New Bach !!!

Scott68 | Columbus, Ohio United States | 08/05/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a CD I saw at the library but somehow didn't get around to listening to until recently. I am in love with these sonatas, the overtones of Bach and Paganini are undeniable. I can say without hesitation these are the best sonatas for solo violin written after Paganini's time. The music is rich with polyphonic layers that will delight and please anyone with a reasonable ear and especially the seasoned veteran musician looking for new great music. The a minor chaconne is a wonderful masterpiece to be savored and endulge in.Ulrike-Anima Mathe was a prize winner at the 1985 Menuhin competition, among other credentials. Her violin is a very bright sounding Amati violin.To describe her playing would take a few sentences to describe. Her intonation is excellent, I would say her playing is romantic but never overly so, with a lush vibrato that is not too wide and is used tastefully, complimenting the music but not smothering it with sweetness. She has a stong sence of dynamics and is able to create drama by being in control of volume and bowing styles to accent the more important phrases in a very singing-like manor. I would say the playing is inspired although I find that maybe at times her tempo may be rushed just a little bit. It seems obvious Ms Mathe likes this music because there is always a great affection for the composer and the music between the notes. For me, this is a five star recording, if you like this cd make sure to get volume two.I can imagine some of this music being used as an audition piece or as an encore and I encourage all violinists to study these great sonatas as they surely should be played more."