Music For Viola & Piano

Peijun Xu, viola; Paul Rivinius, piano

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750): Partita No. 2 BWV 1004 - Franz Schubert (1797-1828): Selected Songs (Litanei auf das Fest aller Seelen, Frühlingstraum, Ständchen) - Henri Vieuxtemps (1820-1881): Elegie for viola and piano op. 30 - Frédéric Chopin (1810-1849): Nocturne KK IVa No. 16; Nocturne op. 9 No. 2 - Rebecca Clarke (1886-1979): Sonata for Viola and Piano

The viola is perhaps the most misjudged of musical instruments. Over time, both the viola and viola players themselves have been the target of countless jokes and anecdotes, many of which are middling at best. Before being too dismissive, the viola's critics should remember that Bach, Mozart and Beethoven, among many other composers, were extremely fond of the instrument and frequently played it themselves during chamber music sessions. The viola has a melancholic and somewhat nasal sound with a rich, mellow and rather dark timbre up into the highest register. The low C-string has a ferocious, unrestrained and even threatening quality that is often used to great effect by opera composers. This recording includes both original works and arrangements of works, covering the full tonal range of the instrument.
Peijun Xu (b. 1985 in Shanghai) began her international career while studying in China and later in Germany with Nobuko Imai at the Kronberg Academy. She won a number of prizes at international competitions, including first prize and two special prizes at the Yuri Bashmet International Viola Competition in Moscow in 2010. "She is a brilliant musician with a flawless technique - the sheer joy of hearing a fully developed viola player at her very best." (Classica FM)

Price: $25.98