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Szymanowski: Complete music for violin and piano

Bruno Monteiro (violin) & João Paulo Santos (piano)

Szymanowski: Complete music for violin and piano
Portuguese virtuosos Monteiro and Santos, captured in opulent sound, hurl themselves into the virtuoso fray where appropriate, steering the music’s sometimes meandering course with a firm rudder.

Szymanowski: Complete music for violin and piano

Bruno Monteiro (violin) & João Paulo Santos (piano)

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Portuguese virtuosos Monteiro and Santos, captured in opulent sound, hurl themselves into the virtuoso fray where appropriate, steering the music’s sometimes meandering course with a firm rudder.

About

Karol Szymanowski (1882‐1937) was one of Poland’s most important and original composers.

Szymanowski’s style is eclectic, standing in the long romantic tradition he imbued his works with exoticisms, impressionistic flourishes and a general sense of freedom and imagination.

The works for violin and piano were created for the famous Polish violinist Paul Kochanski. The most important works are the substantial Second Violin Sonata and the cycle Myths, both appearing regularly on concert programmes nowadays.

Beautiful performances, with a keen sense for colour and atmosphere, by Bruno Monteiro, one of Portugal’s foremost violinists, and pianist João Paulo Santos.

Contents and tracklist

I. Allegro moderato, patetico
Track length9:44
II. Andantino tranquillo e dolce
Track length6:33
III. Finale: Allegro molto, quasi presto
Track length5:52
King Roger, Op. 46: Chant de Roxane (arr. for violin and piano)
Track length6:13
Harnasie, Op. 55: Taniec z Harnasiow (arr. for violin and piano)
Track length6:14
No. 20 in D Major
Track length3:24
No. 21 in E Major
Track length3:15
No. 24 in A Minor
Track length9:27
I. The Fountain of Arethusa
Track length5:51
II. Narcissus
Track length7:38
III. Dryads and Pan
Track length8:48
Piesni kurpiowskie (Kurpie Songs), Op. 58: No. 9. Zarzyjze, kuniu (arr. for violin and piano)
Track length4:42
Nocturne
Track length5:31
Tarantella
Track length6:36

Spotlight on this release

Awards and reviews

Portuguese virtuosos Monteiro and Santos, captured in opulent sound, hurl themselves into the virtuoso fray where appropriate, steering the music’s sometimes meandering course with a firm rudder.

Ecstatic raptures, whether quasi-oriental or otherwise, is a good description of these radiant and inspiring performances by Bruno Monteiro and João Santos...The nuanced phrasing and tonal refinement he brings to these pieces in sympathetic partnership with João Santos illuminate the music from within in a way that, for this listener, has made a deep and lasting impression. Very strongly recommended.

July 2015

All these pieces are given very good performances by the excellent duo of Portuguese violinist Bruno Monteiro, and pianist João Paulo Santos. They enjoy the exotic colours and indulge the luscious harmonies in both the three Mythes and the Sonata.

Classical Net

João Paulo Santos is no mere accompanist, and he proves himself fully capable of tackling the three difficult movements of the work. Bruno Monteiro has just the right tone for this music, as he vividly paints these mythological stories for us.a project of real importance and wide musical appeal.

Musical Opinion

The performances are uniformly excellent, as is the recording. Here is a very highly desirable and recommended issue, one of the most significant to have been released in recent years with regard towards a completion of this wonderful composer's music being made available on compact disc. It is, therefore, strongly recommended.

Musical Opinion April 2015

Monteiro is a gifted violinst, of that one can have no doubt, and he is admirably partnered by Joao Paulo Santos, the result being an eminently recommendable issue which in our opinion has no equal. A very strongly recommended issue.

Expresso

This generous set of Szymanowski´s complete music for violin and piano by Bruno Monteiro and João Paulo Santos, is of remarkable fidelity, accurately identifying the distinctive phases of the romanticism, symbolism and nationalism, keeping the linearity when the music demands...a definitive Szymanowski.

Klassik Magazin

Bruno Monteiro and João Paulo Santos really play as an ensemble, and face the highly technical obstacles on both instruments - and in the case of Szymanowski, it cannot be said that the pianist simply accompanies the violinist...In the Nocturne and Tarantella Op. 28, a work technically and musically very demanding, the performers are fully up to the demands.

Jornal de Letras

Bruno Monteiro and João Paulo Santos are at ease in the repertoire...they share the same vision on Szymanowsk's music – its richness, demand and history...[they] enter now in the exclusive group of the great interperters of his music.

Examiner

Monteiro’s playing on this new recording is particularly effective in escalating the mood of Opus 30 (Myths) beyond the plane of mere mortals. Highly absorbing CD, making a strong case that this music deserves more attention when violinists are planning their recital programs.

Scherzo Magazine

Two excellent Portuguese soloists give a beautiful recital of sensual music... Virtuosity, but above all understanding the sequences of phrases and even cells that motivate suggestions, rather than affirmations. Some readings at times "French", sometimes classicist, always with measured, elegant, but undeniable intensities...In short, a double CD of high level in works and interpreters, at one of those incredible prices of the seal Brilliant.

Público

The challenge is great in all the three "paraphrases" of the Paganini Caprices, which required Bruno Monteiro to a virtuosity difficult to revisit. (...) The best of this issue is on the second CD in Mythes op.30… The violin and piano invent new sounds with the violin drawing melodies ranging up to very high notes, and the piano in surprising harmonic transitions that already correspond to a different conception of his early works.

Austrian Music Magazine 2017

The technical sophistication of the virtuoso violinist Bruno Monteiro comes into play, for example, in the Sonata in D minor or in the adaptation of Paganini Caprices with modern harmonies. A successful accomplishment, excellent performance.

Forbes 28th March 2018

Excellent. Bruno Monteiro’s violinism is more direct and explosive; the Portuguese twosome is more ethereal and Monteiro sort of sliding above Santos’ pianism as if separated by a layer of oil. Monteiro’s sound is round, bold, and – particularly true for Paulo Santos’ piano – resonant bordering on the woolly..Monteiro sways casually like a Venetian gondola.
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