Despite the technical challenges, Ysaÿe emphasized that the violinist must always express 'hope, love, passion and despair' in their playing, rather than becoming a mere technician.
Composition History
Eugène Ysaÿe, the composer, wrote his Six Sonatas for Solo Violin in 1923 after being inspired by the young Hungarian violinist Joseph Szigeti's performance of Bach.
Performer Biography
Roman Simovic, the violinist on this recording, has been the leader of the London Symphony Orchestra since 2010 and is a Professor of Violin at the Royal Academy of Music in London.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Each of Ysaÿe's sonatas is dedicated to a specific up-and-coming violinist and tailored to their individual playing style, serving as a record of early 20th-century performance technique.
Composer Biography
Eugène Ysaÿe, the composer, was a renowned violinist who inspired a generation and was friends with leading French composers like Debussy, Chausson, and Franck, who dedicated works to him.
Compositional Technique
The sonatas are highly demanding, featuring polyphonic writing, extensive use of multiple stopping (producing several notes simultaneously), and unusual bowing techniques.
Instruments
Roman Simovic performs on a 1709 Antonio Stradivari violin, which is generously loaned to him by Jonathan Moulds.
