Search - Faure, Franck, Delmoni :: Sonatas

A treat for lovers of fine violin playing

Bill P. | San Francisco Bay Area, CA United States | 09/04/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Arturo Delmoni is perhaps one of the most underrated violinists performing today. His technical command of the instrument leaves nothing to be desired (as one might expect of a student of Galamian, Milstein and Heifetz) and yet everything is played with the elegance, charm and musicality that were inescapable in the playing of Milstein and Gingold (also a teacher). The Faure sonata is particularly lovely, with a delightful habit of lingering at just the right moment, and the well-chosen portamenti seldom disappoint. The liner notes mention that Faure wrote the sonata under the influence of young love, and Delmoni plays it as if so afflicted himself. The Franck is appropriately muscular (listen to the opening of the second movement!) where it ought to be, and vocal and improvisatory in the recitativo/fantasia. Delmoni employs a diverse palette of tone colors drawn from the 1721 Stradivari he played on this recording.The sound is clear, undistorted and has an appropriate dynamic range. Perspective is sufficiently distant that the nitty-gritty sounds of the violin are unobtrusive, yet the performers are in an intimate setting with the listener. Put this in the CD player, dim the lights, enjoy with one's favorite libation in a comfortable chair and all the day's troubles will vanish.Like the other recordings he has done for John Marks Records, this one is a winner! Be sure to check out Nathaniel Rosen's playing on the same label for some fine cello playing."