Search - Pierre Amoyal, Frederic Chiu :: Prokofiev: Violin Sonatas no. 1 & 2, Five Melodies, etc. / Amoyal, Chiu

Utterly compelling performances of these masterpieces

G.D. | Norway | 02/14/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"To be honest, I don't think there are many violin sonatas out there more satisfying and compelling than Prokofiev's - Beethoven's ninth, surely; perhaps Brahms' or Franck's. But apart from those, these two magnificent works might just be the highlights of the repertoire. The first sonata (composed after the second) consist of chilly, fierce outer movements framing a tender Andante. Amoyal is a superb advocate, songful but urgent and ferocious - and full of grief - including what is surely among the most impressive realizations I've heard of the `winds over the graveyard' part in the first movement.



Throughout there is an impressive sense of purpose in these performances. This also benefits the second sonata (originally for flute and piano), which is overall lighter and less dramatic. The Scherzo is whirlwind swift and animated and the Andante truly beautiful. Again, Amoyal steals the show, but Chiu is a sterling accompanist; his no-nonsense, straightforward and sure-handed playing providing a sure foundation for Amoyal's more embellished and ferociously aggressive violin part.



The fillers are enjoyable and very finely played; the five melodies are wistfully poetic and the march receives a swaggering, dramatic performance (even though I suppose this arrangement is somewhat superfluous). The sound quality is very good; the piano is warm-sounding a clear and the violin superbly focused. Now, the sonatas have received some really staggering performances in the past and I cannot claim that Amoyal and Chiu overshadow Oistrakh (with Richter) or Kremer (with Argerich), but I don't think they suffer from the comparisons either. Strongly recommended, then."