Search - Stravinsky, Lin, Schub :: Suite Italienne / Duo Concertante

A major recording of Stravinsky's music

J. Anderson | Monterey, CA USA | 09/08/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The 'Suite Italienne' is Stravinsky's re-visitation of Pergolesi by way of his own 'Pulcinella', music from that 1925 ballet score here recast for violin and piano. The outcome is rewarding indeed in the hands of Cho-Liang Lin and Ande-Michel Schub. Lin's understanding of Stravinsky's neo-classical aspirations is direct and affectionate, and Schub's playing is beautifully tempered. Stravinsky once remarked that 'Pulcinella' was "my discovery of the past, the epiphany through which the whole of my late work became possible." And indeed, while Stravinsky was to cast many a look backward, the Suite Italienne is among the most successful of all his flirtations with antiquity. The Variations within the Gavotte are just magical! The 'Duo Concertante' is the centerpiece of this recording, and it brings forth from these two players instrumentalism of surpassing authority and beauty. The sublime 'Cantilene', and the small and haunting 'Dithyrambe' contain some of Stravinsky's most engaging chamber work. Incidentally, the Ex-Dushkin Strad owned and played on this recording by Lin, while in my view not the instrument that the Guarneri del Gesu is (also owned by Mr. Lin), seems a perfect choice here, warming the air while paying homage to the marvelous spaces inherent in Stravinsky's scaffolding. I've always thought the transcription (made by the composer and Dushkin) of the 'Divertimento' to be a more successful piece than the original symphonic suite. What insight Cho-Liang Lin offers here! He's one of the supreme fiddlers of our day, easily out-classing Perlman, whose nervous assurance often drives the music away from itself, and whose reputation seems regularly unsupported by the recorded evidence. Lin's rhythmic articulation is without peer, and his staunch musical common sense provides the true ground requisite for the natural unfolding of an unsentimental magnificence on vivid display in this superb recording. This is a major recording of some of Stravinsky's most intimate music, and earns a devoted recommendation!"

As Perfect a Stravinsky Recording as Possible!

Grady Harp | Los Angeles, CA United States | 04/28/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Stravinsky allegedly had a distaste for the sonorities in the combination of violin and piano duo but one could never tell that from this perfectly executed, brilliant recording dating from 1986 with the then very young Cho-Liang Lin and Andre-Michel Schub. It is still a recording unmatched in performance and taste.



Stravinsky's 1933 'Suite italienne' is one of three such collections of works drawn from the highly successful 'Pulchinella' ballet based in turn on themes of Pergolesi, a work loved by Stravinsky and one of the most refreshing of his neo-classical period of compositions. Lin and Schub caress the beauties of these melodies and ping fire from the rapid movements. The collaboration is one of the more sensitive this listener has ever heard. Both musicians are in peak form, but more importantly they are in complete harmony!



'Duo concertant' 1932 is Stravinsky's answer to his distaste for the pairing of violin with piano: each instrument is treated equally in a true 'duo concertant' fashion without regarding the blend of sound and Lin and Schub produce some of the finest cohesive interplay ever heard with this challenging work.



The final work is 'Divertimento' 1932, a concert suite drawn from

Stravinsky's ballet 'The Fairy's Kiss', a work much influenced by fellow Russian composer Tchaikovsky''s music. It is dreamy and romantic and played with lush tone and exquisite phrasing by Lin and Schub. That this older recoding is still in the catalogue is an indication of how fine it is. Best to buy it now before it slips into the archives. This is one of those CDs that will find frequent playing time in the collections of all music lovers. Highly Recommended. Grady Harp, April 06"