Search - Gil Shaham, Goran Sollscherr, Schubert :: Schubert for Two (Dig)

Fine Performances of Transcriptions for Violin and Piano

Dr. Christopher Coleman | HONG KONG | 05/02/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Franz Schubert had the unique ability to blend the range of Romantic expressions with the elegant simplicity of the Classical style. In the short span of a song he expressed what Bruckner might take an entire symphonic movement to reveal. Schubert for Two, a collection of transcriptions performed by violinist Gil Shaham and guitarist Göran Söllscher, captures the composer's intimate sophistication magnificently. Although the substitution of guitar for piano results in a regrettable loss of volume and resonance, the guitarist's direct contact of finger to string adds a wider variety of timbre. Schubert himself played guitar occasionally, and at least some of his works were published in similar transcriptions during his lifetime, so there is a sound historical basis for at least some of these versions of his work. Listeners may wish that the recording engineers had equalised the guitar more against the violin, but in so doing the natural balance of the instruments would have been destroyed.Two large works form the core of the disc-the Sonata D. 384 originally for violin and piano, and the Arpeggione Sonata D. 821. Both are superb examples of the high Classic style, dramatic and lovely in turns, and all flavoured with Schubert's unique harmonic language. The latter piece was composed for a now obsolete instrument, the arpeggione, which was held and bowed like a cello but had the six strings and frets of a guitar. Complementing these pieces are a number of miniature dances, all played with exquisite taste. The CD concludes with Schubert's Ave Maria, showcasing Shaham's excellent sense of phrasing. The whole is a fine collection truly reflective of a Schubertiad evening in old Vienna."

Can Music Be Too Sweet?

Vera Kolb | Kenosha, WI | 09/14/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

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Can music be too sweet? This philosophical question is worth pondering about. In the meantime go ahead and satisfy your musical sweet tooth with Shaham-Söllscher "Schubert for Two". This recording is a must for anybody who ever played violin and/or guitar. Mr. Shaham's rich and expressive vibrato is exactly how the vibrato was sounding in your young heart. Mr. Söllscher's sweet plucking will reincarnate your very first taste of guitar's sweetness, in a form of melodic exercises by Fernando Carruli. Your heart will ache with the desire to have back the sweet, innocent, uncomplicated, sunny music life of your childhood. You will love the "Arpeggione" piece. It will not sweep you off your feet, like the passionate, lush performance by Yuri Bashmet, but it will charm your socks off.

The booklet which comes with the CD is informative and engaging. It is full of fascinating details, such as the description of the now forgotten instrument arpeggione. This instrument was a hybrid between a guitar and a viola da gamba. It had six strings and frets like a guitar, but it was played with a bow. It was held between the knees! It is now solely remembered by the Schubert's composition titled after it. The booklet offers an insight into the music of Schubert and the making of this particular transcription and performance, as well as an interview with Shaham and Söllscher.

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