Johann Sebastian Bach Johannes Brahms Ernest Chausson - Music for Violin and Piano (8 tracks) +Album Reviews

I can't rate Sergey high enough

Jacob Portukalian | Westwood, CA | 10/29/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"From the standpoint of an amateur violinist who attended three out of Sergey's four performances in Indianapolis including his phenomenal final performance of the Sibelius concerto that ended in an instant, four round standing ovation as well as actually meeting him in person, I can say that there isn't a high enough rating for him. Sergey won what is probably the most prestigious violin competition in the field, the Sibelius, at the age of 15 and continues to thrill and inspire audiences around the world. This CD is an absolute must for any music lover and even more so for any serious classical music fan. Definitely a winner. Stay on the lookout for the promised recording due this year with the Khachaturian and Sibelius concertos on it!"

Incredible Playing, Outstanding Maturity

Andrew B. | Vestal, NY, USA | 10/03/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I had been intrigued by Sergey Khachatryan's playing ever since I heard him play at the Indianapolis Competition online. His sound was immediately different from the other competitors. It had a unique resonance that the others simply didn't have. Naturally, then, I was excited to hear of his debut CD (although the only place I could find it was at Tower Records across from Lincoln Center in NYC). His playing is remarkable throughout, displaying a complex tonal sensitivity in the Brahms, an impressive account (given Sergey's age) of the Bach Chaconne, a fiery Tzigane, one of the most captivating accounts of the Chausson Poeme that I have EVER heard, and a "wow-ing" performance of the Waxman Carmen Fantasy. It's clear that Khachatryan is no flash in the pan. He is one of the great artists of our time (and I AM SERIOUS when I say this).As a dedicated teenage violinist myself, I can appreciate real talent. Khachatryan has it.I would recommend this CD hands down to any classical music listener. Too bad he is not recognized more here in the States.-Andrew B."

Splendid Debut Recording Of The World's Best Young Violinist

John Kwok | New York, NY USA | 05/01/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Last night I was privileged to hear Sergey Khachatryan at Carnegie Hall's Zankel Hall, making his New York City recital debut, with his sister Lusine accompanying him on the piano. Both have become splendid musicians since the original release of this CD, but Sergey is definitely without question the finest young violinist I have ever heard. A friend who had invited me to attend this concert with him spoke highly of his techical skills after having seen him perform recently with the New York Philharmonic conducted by Kurt Masur at Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall. Initially I was skeptical, but my doubts vanished immediately as soon as I heard him perform the Bach Chaconne in D minor, from Violin Partita no. 2; it is without question one of the most difficult pieces in the Baroque repertoire for solo violin, but Khachatryan handled it flawlessly, gracefully, in a performance noted not only for his technical brilliance, but equally important, in making a lush, warm sound from his Stradivarius violin. Immediately I thought of comparing him favorably to both Maxim Vengerov and Joshua Bell, but my friend strongly disagreed, remarking that the only violinist with the same technical skills is Anne-Sophie Mutter, especially for contemporary pieces for the violin.

Admittedly this review is based primarily on the recital I had heard last night from both brother and sister Khachatryan, but having heard brief excerpts from this recording, I will say that this CD merely marks the astonishing debut of both as splendid classical musicians in their own right. For example, both performed superbly well on the Cesar Frank Sonata for Violin and Piano in A Major, in a performance which I found far more memorable than an EMI recording of this same work released a few years ago which partnered violinist Sarah Chang with pianist Lars Vogt. But the real "show-stopper" was their electrifying performance of the Shostakovich Sonata for Violin and Piano, op. 134, in which literally pulled out all the stops with dazzling, brilliant playing from both, successfully coping with sudden shifts in tempi and from fortessimo to pianissimo playing and vice versa (They followed this amazing performance with four brief encores ranging from a piano and violin transcription of a song from Gershwin's "Porgy and Bess" to Khachaturian's "Saber Dance"; which were all recipients of thunderous applause.). If nothing else, their exceptional New York City debut recital merely reaffirms that both will have bright futures ahead in classical music."

Once in a generation

Santa Fe Listener | Santa Fe, NM USA | 07/30/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I don't gravitate to violin music or to violinists, although it's hard to miss a great young talent like Maxim Vengerov or gil Shaham. As much as I admire both, which is immensely, Khachatryan desdrves the extravagant praise accorded him here. He seems to be that rare thing, a musical genius who happens to be an instrumentalist. The richness of his musical instincts is breathtaking. How could such a young man communicate the emotional depth and sublime architecture of the Bach Chaconne? The gypsy flavor of Ravel's Tzigane is captivating, yet Khachatryan finds far more real music here than anyone I have ever heard.

I can't comprehend the reviewer above with his cranky barbs about the violinist's sister Lusine. She and father Vladimir, the two accompanists on this debut CD, are splendid--bold, imaginative, notable musicians in their own right. The Brahms D minor Sonata, the greatest of his three, here enjoys a romantic, powerfully emotional performance that equals the best ever put on CD. Add to this that Khachatryan's tone is huge, dark, and lush, his intonation impeccable. What more can one say except to echo Schumann's famous accolade: Hats off, gentlemen, a genius."

Exciting

Muslit | the world | 02/02/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Sergey is one of the most exciting young violinists around. Now 22, he's playing in all the great venues around the world. 17 when this disc came out, it already demonstrates the passion and temperment characteristic this terrific violinist.

The Brahms sonata, first on the program, is the least impressive, although sergey's playing is beautiful. The problem lies in the ensemble balance. Here the piano overpowers the violin too often, especially in the forte sections (recording levels?). The hands seem to be at equal volume throughout, and left-hand chords and accompaniment figures can become unnecessarily important. There is also a lack of give and take in the fast movements - the music rarely relaxes. It gives a certain amateurish quality to the reading.

On the other hand, the Bach Chaconne is beautifully played. Sergey has the gift of 'music between the fingers on the board' - the pressing and lifting of the fingers are naturally animated at all times, even in shifting. Although the playing is rarely boring, occasionally there are some architectural problems in his performance that give the quality of meandering, so that when the initial statement returns at the end, the sense of finality is missing.

The Ravel has some wonderful pacing in it, especially in the solo opening. Violinistically, there is nothing that sergey can't do. He plays with a beautifully poised tone throughout, never falling prey to ungainly sounds way up on the g-string (his wonderful violin can take it, and he calibrates that g string climb perfectly). The performance is first rate and exciting, the piano and violin pulling back and moving forward perfectly together (again, though, the piano coming too much to the fore).

The Chausson Poem is also beautifully played, delicate in the soft passages, amazingly passionate in the fortes. Sergey's decent from the high g trill at the end is ravishing.

The Carmen Fantasy is brilliant. Sergey can go from virtuosic to lilting in the blink of an eye. His reading of the music from the card reading scene is heart-rendering. There might be some questionable passages (where the glissando sixths change to glissando octaves, and a nanosecond of intonation in some rapid thirds), but they are hardly noticed.

Sergey is on his way to becoming one of the most important violinists of his generation. This disc proves it."

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	Johann Sebastian Bach, Johannes Brahms, Ernest Chausson Music for Violin and Piano Genre: Classical Track Listings (8) - Disc #1 I: Allegro II: Adagio III: Un Poco Presto E Con Sentimento IV: Presto Agitato Chacome (Partita No. 2 In D Minor, BWV 1004) D-Moll Re Mineur Tzigane, Rapsodie De Concert Pour Violon Et Piano Poeme, Op. 25 (Pour Violon Et Piano) Carmen Fantasie
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