Search - Pablo de Sarasate :: Sarasate: A Homage by Ruggiero Ricci

Two Superstars : SARASATE and RICCI

M. BARTOLI | La FERTE sous JOUARRE France | 10/16/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"At last, fantastic works off the beaten track ! An anthology of little known pieces chiseled from the bow of Pablo de Sarasate, one of the finest violinists and composers from the end of the nineteenth century, a time when music knew how to distract as much as to move...
All of these little pieces are of the highest virtuosity, requiring as much feeling as panache. These fireworks of double and triple stops, artificial harmonics, incredible extensions and avalanches of the left-hand pizzicati are nowadays part of the standard arsenal (repertory) of the virtuoso violin. Yet Sarasate's brilliant technique was conceived not to show off, but to create an atmosphere suited to each of these little "paintings": the Serenade Andalouse, the Russian Song or the Jota Aragonesa are fine illustration of these effects.
Ruggiero Ricci, the last big superstar of the "grand école" of violin, is the ideal interpreter of Sarasate. His heroic and pyrotechnic playing "alla Faganina" overcomes numerous difficulties in the score. Even if one regrets the incredible Serenade Andalouse of the 1960s LP at MCA (out of stock for the last 20 years) when Ricci was at his best, one can find great consolation in this new version, which also offers a more wide selection of Sarasate's pieces.
In short, a MUST !"

One of the most famed violin's legends!

Hiram Gomez Pardo | Valencia, Venezuela | 04/04/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The legendary Italian violinist has been compared more than once with Jasha Heifetz. His prodigious technical gift runs parallel to his virile musicality and intense power of conviction. That's why so many times for many, he may sound extremely impetuous without romantic concessions . His vibrato has always reminded me to another giant of the noble instrument: Ivry Gitlis.



I had the personal chance to have watched him (As a matter of fact, I still keep his affecting autograph - October, 1981 -on one of his most celebrated achievements -on LP, of course- Sarasate's Gypsy airs conducted by Pierino Gamba) playing the Mendelssohn, Paganini's Fourth violin Concerto, in May, 1984 as well as a notable Bach's Partita performance as encore.



Like musician, he never acted for the audience, always seriously focused on the instrument. His demoniac phrasing, astonishing vibratos, expressive arpeggios and overwhelming fingering always captivated the great musical audiences. He will never be reminded like a gentle, warm or languorous soloist. His tonal robustness was perhaps his most emblematic feature.



The other set you can do without is the famous album played by Aaron Rosand.

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