Meltzer and Dörken relish the fun of music making in Dresden – Seen and Heard Worldwide

Germany Dresden Music ComPetition 2024 [5] – Beethoven, Hannah Ishizaki, Janáček, Fauré: Nathan Meltzer (violin), Danae Dörken (piano). Kronensaal, Schloss Albrechtsberg, Dresden, 23.5.2024. (MC)

Beethoven – Violin Sonata No.10 in G main, Op.96
Hannah Ishizaki – Violin Sonata (world premiere)
Janáček – Violin Sonata
Fauré – Violin Sonata No.1 in A serious, Op.13

Expertise has proven me that a few of the most satisfying live shows are these of a smaller scale. This recital for violin and piano duo held within the wonderful setting of the Kronensaal at Schloss Albrechtsberg was an ideal instance of that. 4 composers had been represented by a piece every spanning some 2 hundred and ten years. Complimenting one another royally had been American violinist Nathan Meltzer, a product of the Juilliard Faculty, New York and German/Greek pianist Danae Dörken, who studied beneath famend academics Karl-Heinz Kämmerling and Lars Vogt.

Opening the recital was Beethoven’s Tenth Violin Sonata in G main the ultimate of his ten in that kind.

The Tenth adopted the Ninth Sonata generally known as the Kreutzer Sonata by some ten years. Acclaimed French violinist Pierre Rode premiered the rating in 1812 along with Beethoven’s beneficiant patron Archduke Rudolph. Right here Meltzer and Dörken tailored properly to the troublesome and emotional compass of the writing. That is an expressive work, and I used to be drawn to the second motion Adagio espressivo evoking a definite melancholy as if parting and to the Scherzo. Allegro jogged my memory of a heated dialog that develops into bitterness.

American based mostly composer Hannah Ishizaki is greatest generally known as the youngest feminine composer who in 2017 with Metropolis of Bridges for orchestra lasting 4 minutes had a world premiere carried out by the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. This night’s recital was the world premiere of Ishizaki’s 5 motion Violin Sonata. From a younger age Ishizaki performed each violin and mandolin so her curiosity in writing a significant chamber work for violin comes as no shock. Meltzer and Dörken appeared to relish the challenges of Ishizaki’s percussive piano writing and the violin harmonics. Subsequent, I used to be conscious of the fiery and spiky rhythms of each devices. Meltzer and Dörken supplied a relaxed however unsettling really feel to the gradual motion which then developed a craving ardour, growing in power earlier than fading away to nothing. I recall being astonished by the enjoying of Meltzer and within the last motion the sounds grew to become cacophonous reminding me of the noise of steelworks. While the 2 performers took their well-deserved bow the composer joined them on the stage. I discovered the brand new sonata attention-grabbing in elements, however general stringently anxious and overbearingly strident.

Throughout the tense build-up to the First World Struggle Janáček was writing his Violin Sonata that he accomplished doubtless in 1915. Janáček subjected the rating to a number of revisions previous to its premiere at Brno in 1922. He wrote the work for Olga, daughter of violinist Otakar Ševčík. When Olga died unexpectedly Janáček was overwrought which doubtless infected the depth of the sonata. It felt as if Meltzer and Dörken had realised the sonata was Janáček’s response to the First World Struggle and he was utilizing his personal particular person language. The duo was particularly profitable within the Ballada motion that may be described as lyrically bucolic, heat and summery interrupted by a stormy center part.

Essentially the most profitable efficiency was the ultimate work of the programme Fauré’s First Violin Sonata, an early work when the composer was aged twenty. Accomplished in 1876, it was some forty years earlier than he wrote his second within the style. This First Violin Sonata, a extremely regarded work, was given a splendid efficiency of calm assurance by Meltzer and Dörken who appeared completely inside the core of the piece. Standing out the opening motion Allegro molto incorporates turbulent romantic feelings along with heat and welcoming melodies and ends on a observe of putting ardour. Worthy of singling out too was the beautiful dreamlike enjoying of the Andante motion, like an expression of affection and devotion.

This extraordinarily proficient duo Meltzer and Dörken relishing the fun of music making was there for all to see.

Michael Cookson