Bach - Sonatas & Partitas For Solo Violin (Mullova)

CD1
1. Sonata I in G Minor: (1) Adagio (04:24)
2. Sonata I in G Minor: (2) Fuga. Allegro (05:47)
3. Sonata I in G Minor: (3) Siciliano (03:30)
4. Sonata I in G Minor: (4) Presto (02:49)
5. Partita I in B Minor: (1) Allemande (04:58)
6. Partita I in B Minor: (2) Double (02:13)
7. Partita I in B Minor: (3) Courante (02:20)
8. Partita I in B Minor: (4) Double. Presto (02:58)
9. Partita I in B Minor: (5) Sarabande (02:35)
10. Partita I in B Minor: (6) Double (01:31)
11. Partita I in B Minor: (7) Tempo di Bouree (02:28)
12. Partita I in B Minor: (8) Double (02:15)
13. Sonata II in A Minor: (1) Grave (04:23)
14. Sonata II in A Minor: (2) Fuga (08:12)
15. Sonata II in A Minor: (3) Andante (05:15)
16. Sonata II in A Minor: (4) Allegro (04:26)

CD2
1. Partita no. 2 in D minor (BWV 1004) - Allemanda (03:17)
2. Partita no. 2 (BWV 1004) - Corrente (02:22)
3. Partita no. 2 (BWV 1004) - Sarabanda (04:20)
4. Partita no. 2 (BWV 1004) - Gigue (03:31)
5. Partita no. 2 (BWV 1004) - Chaconne (14:33)
6. Sonata no. 3 in C major (BWV 1005) - Adagio (04:45)
7. Sonata no. 3 (BWV 1005) - Fugue: Allabreve (11:29)
8. Sonata no. 3 (BWV 1005) - Largo (04:01)
9. Sonata no. 3 (BWV 1005) - Allegro assai (04:10)
10. Partita no. 3 in E major (BWV 1006) - Prelude (04:05)
11. Partita no. 3 (BWV 1006) - Loure (03:28)
12. Partita no. 3 (BWV 1006) - Gavotte & Rondo (03:11)
13. Partita no. 3 (BWV 1006) - Menuet I & II (02:34)
14. Partita no. 3 (BWV 1006) - Bouree (01:13)
15. Partita no. 3 (BWV 1006) - Gigue (01:30)

Viktoria Mullova – baroque violin

Five BRILLIANT Stars!! Award-winning violin virtuoso Viktoria Mullova gives one of the definitive versions of J. S. Bach's three solo violin sonatas and partitas. All were composed in 1720 and are presented here on 2 CDs in a manner which interleaves the sonatas and partitas. In the last two decades, Ms Mullova has shown a total fascination with and intensive study of Bach, especially significant since in Russia she was taught to play Bach in a different manner. Her self-study has brought Bach front and center in both her public and private life, bordering on the transcendental and a part of her relaxation at home. She has studied the baroque era with today's masterful groups and individuals, decisively moving from baroque recordings with modern classical violin setups to re-stringing her violins and using the baroque bow and style. It is hard to believe this CD contains her first recording of the 3 Bach sonatas, although she has previously recorded the solo partitas on Bach: Partita Nos.1-3. She uses the Baroque era setup on her 1750 Guadagnini violin with contemporary gut strings which are tuned down to A=415 Hertz and a Barbiero contemporary baroque bow. She favors this violin for baroque work lately, instead of her "Jules Falk" Stradivarius which she has also used. As for the Bach musical scores themselves, legend informs us they were almost accidentally destroyed. The sound of the violin is very vivid and intimate with a drawing-room ambiance that puts Ms Mullova right in the listener's room, with a slight echo that may be attributed to vibrato coming from her tightly controlled left hand dynamics. She has stated this achieves her objectives. This sustained sound is fitting for this performance. Throughout Mullova, bowing relentlessly with fire, velocity, stately elegance, and sensitivity where required, is superb finding new nuances.

The 'best of the best' begin with the amazing Fuga: Allegro movement with Mullova literally accompanying herself through the rounds courtesty of Bach, and the mesmerizing blazing bow work of the Presto movement of Sonata No. 1 in G Minor, BWV 1001. The searing rendering of the Double: Presto movement (the second of the four double movements) of Partita No. 1 In B Minor, BWV 1002 is awe-inspiring, as is the fourth Double: the eighth movement of Partita No. 1 In B Minor, BWV 1002. Her daughter loves the lyrical, double stop-affected Andante movement of Sonata No. 2 in A Minor, BWV 1003: III, humming it at home, so it is dedicated to her. And there is the superb, fleet phrasing of the Giga (fourth) movement leading up to the nearly 14-minute Ciaccona (Chaconne) movement of the Partita No. 2 In D Minor, BWV 1004. Mullova plays this legendary Ciaccona dance movement, adapted since Bach for other instruments, marvelously: investing it with lyricism, sadness, and loss, with just the right touch of virtuosity. Ms Mullova takes full advantage the baroque setup and her nimble bow mastery, doing things that cannot be done with the modern box. This is just an overview of the excellence awaiting the listener in these 6 beautifully complex, highly enjoyable solo violin sonatas and partitas. This is brilliant, always impressive, sometimes stunning and breathtaking music displaying the virtuosity of Mullova and the genius of Bach. My Highest Recommendation. --- RBSProds "rbsprods" (Deep in the heart of Texas)

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