George Enescu, born in 1881, was a versatile musician—violinist, conductor, pianist, composer, and teacher—gifted with a prodigious memory, knowing most of Beethoven's music by heart.
Recording & Production
This recording was made in May 2011 at the Église Évangélique Saint-Marcel in Paris, France, using specific vintage Neumann microphones and high-end audio equipment.
Composition History
The two Piano Sonatas on this album, Op. 24 No. 1 and No. 3, were originally intended to be three, but the second sonata was never completed and its extensive plans were destroyed.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Enescu's creative life is divided into two halves: an early period of exploring various styles, and a later period where these influences were deeply assimilated, leading to a unique voice.
Critical Reception
Enescu's later music, including these sonatas, is so unique that it has hampered its diffusion, remaining relatively unknown and rarely programmed by musicians.
Cultural Impact
Yehudi Menuhin, a renowned violinist, regarded George Enescu as the major, defining influence of his life, highlighting Enescu's importance as a teacher.
