Search - Frank Peter Zimmermann :: Bach Sonaten Fr Violine und Klavier BWV

Frank Peter Zimmermann: a violinist's violinist

Violin MD | USA | 04/07/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a welcome latest release of the German violinist Frank Peter Zimmermann. Zimmermann is a 'violinist's violinist' who performs with great elan and musical humility such that his total musicality is refreshingly rewarding yet non-obtrusive. His interpretations of all the major concerti on disc have consistently shown a steadfast dedication to singing and musical integrity rather than an opportunism for showcasing brilliant technical virtuosity. Rather, all of Zimmermann's considerable technical ability is devoted to the expressive realization of the works such that the composer's voice is always heard first without the common imposition of the performer's 'persona' onto the music. Zimmermann is therefore a rarer breed of violinist whose great expressivity can be overlooked due to his more reticent showmanship.



His recording of Ysaye's solo works offers undeliable evidence of this most 'comfortable' and rare marriage between virtuosity and musical voicing. Ysaye's sonatas have never sounded so musically enjoyable to me compared to most recordings of Ysaye which may be either characterized by sterile perfection or the stress of hearing the very real physical challenge of bringing these works to life. Not so with Zimmermann.



These readings of Bach's sonatas for violin and keyboard are likewise most enjoyable to listen to for their musical sensitivity coupled with a real sense of intellect that is so characteristic of Bach's compositions. The mind is an equally present force driving this music in addition to the heart. Zimmermann does not fuss with any concerns of period-performance authenticity (most thankfully) and instead plays Bach with a freely expressive yet well-prepared style that is fully mindful and acknowledging of the time period and instruments existing when Bach wrote these works. Again, the music is central to all other issues in Zimmermann's recording which puts Bach first and the performer and other considerations second. Perhaps Zimmermann's self-effacement is what has kept his profile as a fine violinist less visible than other violinists who are promoted with so much publicity and self-flamboyance such as Vengerov, Kennedy, and Mutter?



The pianist Enrico Pace is likewise a beautifully-matched full collaborator with Zimmermann. Pace allows the musical line to begin, breathe, grow, and finish while sustaining a beautiful, non-interrupted line throughout the movements. And he moves seemingly effortlessly in unison with Zimmermann while they share counterpoint, dialogue, and tuttis. There is real propulsion to these performances with a fleetness to both bow and keys that is infused with a true sense of being alive rather performing in a vacuum or on auto-pilot. Pace also shines during his solo movement of the sixth sonata.



You will most definitely enjoy listening to this fine 2-disc set. The sound quality of the recording is beautifully balanced and engineered providing a very realistic sound picture as if one is hearing this in a recital hall. It was recorded in November 2006 at the Grunwald Music School in Germany."

A revelation! If you think you know Bach...

WHM | Amsterdam | 01/31/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"...but haven't heard these sonatas for Violin and, yes, PIANO* (thankfully), have a listen to this performance and think again. (No, I have no axe to grind with "authentic" Baroque purists..).



This 2-CD set was brought to my attention by Gramophone magazine, where it was recommended as "Editor's choice". And what a revelation it was! Admittedly, I wasn't too familiar with these particular Bach sonatas. Musicologists have often placed these six works alongside the Sonatas and Partitas for solo violin and the Brandenburg Concertos because of their wealth of invention and their mature, individual style. They were probably composed ca. 1725 in Leipzig; some 50 years later, Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach was still championing them as the finest works of his father.



These sonatas, which were not necessarily designed as a cycle from the outset, have a slow-fast-slow-fast sequence of four movements, except for the five-movement G major sonata (BWV 1019) in which the central movement is for the piano alone, while the violin remains silent. The slow movements in particular are of great emotional depth and melodic elegance.



German violinist Frank Peter Zimmermann and Italian pianist Enrico Pace, a regular duo since many years, are unsurpassed in their collaboration on these sonatas, with fully equal roles for both performers. Superb musicality, expressiveness and phrasing, combined with great richness of tone, make of this set a breathtaking listening experience. The gorgeous sound of Zimmermann's Stradivarius (once belonging to Fritz Kreisler) balances and blends beautifully with that of Pace's charismatic and tasteful pianism. I can't think of a stronger case for the superiority of the piano as the keyboard instrument on which to hear these sonatas (see comment).



I can listen to this performance non-stop for hours, even days.. If you love Bach, BUY this set! (Check out amazon UK and other sellers for cheaper price tags.)





*It's a shame that modern performances of these sonatas are very rare. I found recordings by Menuhin/Kentner, Laredo/Gould and Tenenbaum/Kapp and that's about it. But they are simply no match for the present recording.



P.S. Music samples can be found at:

www.amazon.fr/Sonates-pour-violon-piano-BWV1014-1019/dp/samples/B000RO8T7K/ref=dp_tracks_all_1#disc_1







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