Search - Bela Bartok, David Riley :: Contrasts: Bartók Violin Works

"Wood?s open luminous tones, seamless lines and impeccable technique charmed the ears, conjuring almost vocal sounds from music he shaped with seductive tenderness." - TORONTO STAR "Encores there must be wherever Wood and Riley play: theirs is a beautiful collaboration?Wood is always a joy to hear?" - GRAMOPHONE "Jasper Wood plays with a firm, rich tone and he's excellently balanced against David Riley's sparkling piano accompaniments." - DAVID HURWITZ, CLASSICS TODAY Violinist Jasper Wood has garnered international critical acclaim for his solo performances with orchestras and chamber music concerts. Known for his intimate and dazzling recitals, Wood is sought after as a musician with his own personal voice. He can be heard frequently on NPR in the United States, and on the CBC in Canada. Pianist David Riley gave more than 50 concerts the past season, including two at the National Art Gallery in Washington DC and Weill Hall at Carnegie Hall. He has been heard on dozens of radio broadcasts on WQXR and WNYC in New York, Canada?s CBC, and NPR?s Performance Today. Wolfgang Sawallisch appointed Ricardo Morales Principal Clarinet of the Philadelphia Orchestra in 2002. Prior to this, he was Principal Clarinet of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra; a position he assumed at the age of 21 under the direction of James Levine. Bartók?s two Rhapsodies were originally written with orchestral accompaniment in 1928. Contrasts was written at the suggestion of Benny Goodman and premiered in 1940. All three works were written for violinist Joseph Szigeti, who arranged several of Bartók?s piano pieces For Children into the Hungarian Folk Tunes. The Sonatina is based on Transylvanian folk tunes as arranged by Endre Gertler. Zoltán Székely did the arrangements for the Rumanian Folk Dances. Recorded in Toronto, 2005.