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ARTICLES - Ferruccio Busoni Violin Concerto
MUSICAL OPINION QUARTERLY (July - September 2016)
'On Performing Busoni’s Violin Concerto'
By Efi Christodoulou
The distinguished violinist outlines the background and circumstances which led to her discovery and series of public performances of Busoni’s Violin Concerto.
ANNOUNCEMENTS - MUSICAL OPINION
The soloist was Efi Christodoulou who clearly believes in this work and needs to as she is kept busy with demands for intricate, finger tripping virtuosity throughout. Her playing was rock solid secure and by the end of the finale, Allegro impetuoso, you wished to hear it all again soon. This is an endearing piece. All credit must go to Fifield and Christodoulou for reviving a work that was popular with such virtuoso stars from yesteryear as Adolf Busch and Joseph Szigeti.
MUSICAL OPINION Edward Clark, April-June 2016
ANNOUNCEMENTS - GRAMOPHONE
- This new SOMM release features two perennial favourites, the Glazunov and Dvorak Violin Concertos. They are often recorded together, deriving their inspiration from Russian Bohemia's musical heritage whilst still remaining close to Brahmsian Viennese traditions. Adding to these Sibelius's Six Humoresques for Violin & Orchestra makes this a hugely enjoyable combination. (SOMM)
- A straightforward interpretation, with a sweet tone and a palpable sense of joy in the music-making.
A finale full of natural exuberance.
GRAMOPHONE Hannah Nepil, December 2015
DISCOGRAPHY: Glazunov, Sibelius & Dvorak: Works for Violin & Orchestra, SOMM 0153
Dvorak: Violin Concerto in A minor, Op. 53
Glazunov: Violin Concerto in A minor, Op. 82
Sibelius: Six Humoresques, Op. 87 and Op. 89 for violin and orchestra
Efi Christodoulou (violin)
Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, John Carewe
"This is playing almost of the old school, reminiscent of Menuhin or Oistrakh at their best' (Fanfare, USA)
"Blazingly committed performances (from John Carewe and the Bournemouth SO) do full justice to, yes, one of our greatest living composers." Calum MacDonald, April 2014 (of D. Matthews' Vespers/Symphony No. 7 on Dutton Vocalion).
REVIEWS: www.robertfarnonsociety.org.uk ... erto-in-a-minor
www.classicalsource.com/db_control/db_cd_review.php?id=13124
CD available at http://blog.musicaloffering.gr/748871015326/
DISCOGRAPHY: Debussy, Elgar, Sibelius: Efi Christodoulou, Margaret Fingerhut, GMCD 7358
Performer: Efi Christodoulou (Violin), Margaret Fingerhut (Piano)
1. Sonata for Violin and Piano in G minor by Claude Debussy
2. Sonata for Violin and Piano in E minor, Op. 82 by Sir Edward Elgar
3. Humoresques (2) for Violin and Orchestra, Op. 87 by Jean Sibelius
Humoresques (4) for Violin and Orchestra, Op. 89 by Jean Sibelius
http://www.guildmusic.com/shop/wbc.php?tpl=pdruck.html&pid=13156
CD available at blog.musicaloffering.gr/795754735826/
CRITICAL ACCLAIM
An intense and committed performance which demonstrated a high level of technical achievement. Efi Christodoulou proved herself to be a powerful player.
THE STRAD
Massive confidence and authority.
THE SCOTSMAN
A most gifted violinist, technically and musically.
HERMAN KREBBERS
Beautiful sound and splendid technique.
VALENTIN ZHUK
Exceptional facility and talent.
RUGGIERO RICCI
An extremely talented violinist who performs with a positive flair and temperament.
AARON ROSAND
An artist of tremendous assurance and musical intelligence whose performance of the rarely-heard William Schuman concerto was stunning in its virtuosity and command.
WILLIAM WEBB
Mastery of the instrument ... Flashes of brilliance.
YFRAH NEAMAN
Great confidence and musicality ... Very impressive.
VILEM TAUSKY
A brilliant violinist possessing a fine technique.
EUGENE SARBU
Efi played the Sibelius concerto with spirit and conviction.
EDWARD CLARK, President, UK Sibelius Society
Efi Christodoulou gave a stunning, note-perfect performance enhanced by her adding a piquant sweetness to those lyrical sections.
CLASSICAL SOURCE
Her playing was rock solid, as she is kept busy with demands for intricate, finger tripping virtuosity throughout.
MUSICAL OPINION
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CD REVIEWS FOR GMCD 7358: D E B U S S Y, E L G A R, S I B E L I U S:
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This is playing almost of the old school, reminiscent of Menuhin or Oistrakh at their best.
FANFARE
Here is infinite variety. Christodoulou is a sympathetic advocate ..... with pin-point intonation.
CLASSICAL SOURCE
In the Elgar Christodoulou and Fingerhut play the unsettled beginning passionately. The Sibelius Humoresques are the standout in this interesting and enterprising programme.
MUSIC WEB INTERNATIONAL
Greek-born violin virtuoso Efi Christodoulou, and the impressive Margaret Fingerhut, here give outstanding, intelligent performances.
NEW CLASSICS CO
The Sibelius Humoresques are indispensable.
SUNDAY TIMES
Efi Christodoulou tackles Sibelius Six Humoresques, with wit and flair, dashing off the virtuosic demands with élan and touches of silky warmth, and bringing infectious high spirits.
THE STRAD
The quality of the deliberate dialog between violin and piano in the Debussy, makes a case for this serious interpretation.
AMERICAN RECORD GUIDE
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C D REVIEWS FOR SOMM 0153 : G L A Z U N O V, D V O R A K, S I B E L I U S:
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www.somm-recordings.com/somm/ifield.php?id=236
Christodoulou adds gypsy-passion, affecting lyricism, and exuberance in the Dvorak Concerto. She has the Sibelius in her soul, and plays with considerable largesse.
CLASSICAL SOURCE
Highly acclaimed as a performer, Efi Christodoulou is ably supported on these excellent recordings by the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra under John Carewe. Highly recommended – congratulations are due to the enterprising SOMM label for this enjoyable new release.
FARNON SOCIETY
This recording features Greek-born award-winning violinist Efi Christodoulou with John Carewe and the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra in terrific form.
PRESTO CLASSICAL
Dvorak Concerto comes across grandly here. Sibelius's Six Humoresques congure up a Nordic romanticism ardent, strange and almost mystical.
SUNDAY TIMES
Efi Christodoulou gives a direct and warm-hearted performance of the Dvorak violin concerto and if she's inclined to linger in the adagio, I find her approach more congenial than Ann-Sophie Mutter's version.
THE BIRMINGHAM POST
There's a palpable sense of joy in the music-making.
GRAMOPHONE
Acclaimed Greek violinist Efi Christodoulou took to the stage to give a commanding performance of Busoni’s Violin Concerto. Christodoulou stole the show with incredulously fast finger-gymnastics and exquisite melodies.
HUDDERSFIELD EXAMINER
SOUND SAMPLES
Listen to full CD tracks:
Recital Disc: play.spotify.com/album/2ep2ErBLgEQSVLlHrm1Xnj
Concerto Disc: play.spotify.com/artist/3Ft6ZAX0viGlv0AwURgxFJ
Samples, Concerto Disc: www.nicherecords.ro/disc/clasi ... ncertos-cd.html
REPERTOIRE Concerto
Concerto
ANTONIOU Concerto/fantasia
ARNOLD Concerto for 2 violins op.77
ARNOLD Five pieces op.84
BACH Concerto in A minor 1041, concerto in E BWV 1042
BACH Concerto for 2 violins in D minor BVW1043
BACH Concerto for violin & oboe in D minor BVW1060
BARBER Concerto op.14
BARTOK Rhapsody No.1
BROSSE Dirk Symphonic Poem 'Sophia' 2001
BEETHOVEN Concerto op.61 in D (cadenza Yfrah Neaman)
BRAHMS Concerto op.77 in D
BRAHMS Concerto for violin and cello in A minor op.102
BRUCH Concerto No.1 in G min
BRUCH Scottish Fantasy
BUSONI Concerto op.35a in D minor
CHAUSSON Poeme op.19
DVORAK Concerto op.53 in A
ELGAR Concerto in B min op.61
GLAZUNOV Concerto in A
HAYDN Concerto in C
HAYDN Double Concerto for Violin & Harpsichord
KHACHATURIAN Concerto in D minor
MENDELSSOHN Concerto op.64 in E minor
MOZART Adagio k 261 in A
MOZART Rondo in C KV373
MOZART Concertos No.3 in G K 216, No.4 in D K 218, No.5 in A K 219
PAGANINI Concerto No.1 in D
PAGANINI La campanella
PROKOFIEV Concerto No.2 in G minor
RAVEL Tzigane
SAINT-SAENS Introduction and rondo capriccioso
SAINT-SAENS Havanaise
SAMARAS Christos Lamento 2002
SARASATE Zigeunerweisen
SARASATE Carmen fantasy
SCHUBERT Rondo brillant in B minor
SCHUMAN William Concerto 1956
SIBELIUS Concerto op.47 in D minor
SIBELIUS Six Humoresques, 1-2 op.87 & 3-6 op.89
SIBELIUS Suite op.117
SHOSTAKOVICH Concerto No.1 op.77 in A
STILL Robert Concerto 1969 -(World Premiere)
TAYLOR Matthew Concerto 2011 -(World Premiere)
TCHAIKOVSKY Concerto op.35 in D
VIEUXTEMPS Concerto No.5 op.35 in A
VIVALDI The Four Seasons
VIVALDI La Tempeste di mare
WALTON Concerto in B minor
WIENIAWSKI Concerto No.1 in F sharp minor
REPERTOIRE Recital
Recital
BACH Six Sonatas and Partitas
BACH Sonatas for Violin & Harpshichord
BARTOK First Rhapsody
BARTOK Six Romanian Dances
BEETHOVEN Ten Sonatas
BERKELEY Sonata
BERNSTEIN Sonata
BRAHMS Sonatas No.1 op.100, No.2 op.100, No.3 op.108
CORIGLIANO Sonata
DEBUSSY Sonata in G min
FRANCK Sonata in A
DVORAK Sonatina op.100 in G
DVORAK Humoresque in G flat (Kreisler)
ELGAR Chanson de matin, Salut d'Amour
ELGAR Sonata
ERNST The Last Rose of Summer
FAURE Sonata op.13 in A
FERGUSON Sonata No.2
GLAZUNOV Meditation
GRIEG Sonata No.3 op 45 in C min
KREISLER de Falla Dance Espagnole
KREISLER Recitativo and Scherzo Caprice, Tampourin Chinois op.3
KREISLER Dancing Doll, Liebesleid, Liebesgrüße, Schön Rosmarin
KUUSISTO Jaakko Valo OP.23 2009
LIPKIN Malcolm Sonata
LUTOSLAWSKI Partita
MESSIAEN Theme and Variations
MANZONI Furioso,1996
MILSTEIN Paganiniana for solo violin
PART Arvo Fratres
PROKOFIEV Five melodies op.35 bis
PROKOFIEV Sonata No.1 & No.2
PAGANINI 24 Caprices op.24
PAGANINI La Campanella
RAVEL Tzigane
RAVEL Sonata
RAUTAVAARA Einojuhani Variétude for solo violin
ROREM Ned Sonata
SARASATE Zapateado, Malaguena, Habanera
SCHUBERT Sonata N.1, N.2, N.3
SCHUBERT Fantasy in C, Grand Duo
SCHUMANN Sonatas N.1, N.2, N.3
SIBELIUS Sonatina in E op.80
SZYMANOWSKI Myths
SUK Four Pieces op.17
TARTINI Sonata "Devil's Trill"
TCHAIKOVSKY Serenade Melancholique
STRAVINSKY Dythirambe
STRAUSS Sonata in E flat op.18
SCHUMANN Sonata N.1 op.105 in A min, N.2 op.121 in D m, N.3 WoO2 in A min
SKALKOTAS Second Little Suite
WHETTAM Ballade
WIENIAWSKI Faust Fantasy op.20, Variations on an Original Theme, Polonaise de Concert op. 4
YSAYE Caprice d'apres l'Etude en forme de Valse de Saint-Saens
YSAYE 6 Sonatas for solo violin op.27
VIDEO LINKS
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Matthew Taylor Violin Concerto (World Premiere): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fc9YOihp3I8
State Academic Orchestra of the Capella / Matthew Taylor / St. Petersburg
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Robert Still Violin Concerto (World Premiere): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KrAcgOwvZ9I
Ealing Symphony Orchestra / John Gibbons / London
