Artist Guide » Classical » Traditional » VINCENT P. SKOWRONSKI: SKOWRONSKI PLAYS! Franck, Szymanowski, Bacewicz and Saint-Saëns
SKOWRONSKI PLAYS! Franck, Szymanowski, Bacewicz and Saint-Saëns"Mr. Skowronski is an uncommonly expressive and persuasive violinist.
And he plays everything with irresistible èlan." FANFARE
The Sonata in A Major by Cèsar Franck, a keystone of the Romantic repertoire for
violin, is performed here by violinist
Vincent P. Skowronski in a distinctly masterful and sensational manner. Mr.
Skowronski opens this disc with a sublime offering of the sonata's Allegretto and
follows with resounding and resolute Franckian statements in the explosive and
turbulent Allegro. The artist then proceeds with an introspective yet grandiose
reading of the Recitativo--Fantasia which ultimately sets up the work for its
joyous, heart-on-your-sleeve Finale. Mr. Skowronski's rendition of the Franck
Sonata on this CD has been hailed as amongst the best available, and should be in
every serious violinist's collection.
Karol (Karl) Szymanowski's Fountain of Arethuse and Song of Roxanne certainly
display an engaging, talcum approach to music making by the keenly versatile
Skowronski as he has deftly assembled solid, robust yet translucent, insightful and
gossamer renditions of these two musical gems from the Age of Impressionism. The
brief Mazurka by Grazyna (Grace) Bacewicz reveals a knee-slapper of a Polish folk
dance before Skowronski unleashes the rarely performed Sonata No. 1 in D Minor by
Camille Saint-Saëns.
The D Minor Sonata by Saint-Saëns is a very beautiful, almost all "happy music"
composition. It is surely not as profound a work as the Franck Sonata, yet the
piece offers any listener the opportunity to experience truly enjoyable,
worthwhile, emotionally satisfying, up-front music making for the sake of nothing
more than experiencing enjoyable, worthwhile, emotionally satisfying, up-front music
making! And so enters Skowronski who serves up a scintillating, rollicking and oft
times quixotically visceral portrayal of the entire sonata. The virtuoso violinist
begins with a delightful romp through the Allegretto Agitato opening movement then
(attacca) deeply immerses himself in the following poignant Adagio. The artist
continues with the third movement Allegro Moderato which provides the listener with
sounds-like snatches of impish musical material from Saint-Saëns' famous "Danse
Macabre." At one point, Skowronski reaches a patch of chordal repose but, alas, the
quietude is summarily shattered by the rudely abrupt announcement of the
tempestuous, blazing climax. From this point, the Finale becomes a
hold-on-to-your-hat,
frantic dash to the finish line. You'll love it.......its FUN!
Program notes provided by Skowronski: Classical Recordings. Any and all comments
regarding this CD are welcome.
Check out the artist's website:
http://www.skowronskiplays.com
Track List:
1. Cèsar Franck, Sonata in A Major, band #1
2. Franck, band #2
3. Franck, band #3
4. Franck, band #4
5. Karol Szymanowski, La Fontaine d 'Arethuse
6. Karol Szymanowski, Chant du Roxanne
7. Grazyna Bacewicz, Mazurka No. 1
8. Camille Saint-Saens, Sonata No. 1 in D Minor, band #1
9. Saint-Saens, band #9
10. Saint-Saens, band #10
11. Saint-Saens, band #11
Other Genres:
- CLASSICAL: Traditional
- MOOD: VIRTUOSO