Gabriel Quiroga

Given the depth, range and quality of the Deutsche Grammophon catalogue, it’s hardly been difficult to put together another anthology of great recordings and great artists. The structure is as before – here are 53 original albums (including three double-sets), featuring the great names of Deutsche Grammophon’s recording history, presented, once more, in alphabetical order of artist. Claudio Abbado leads off with a complete Carmen and Krystian Zimerman rounds off with his memorable account of the Chopin Ballades.

Following his acclaimed release of the Brahms and Schoenberg Violin Concertos, Jack Liebeck returns to Orchid Classics with Ysaÿe’s Six Sonatas for Solo Violin, as well as the lyrical Poème élégiaque for violin and piano, for which Liebeck is joined by Daniel Grimwood. Ysaÿe was hailed as the greatest violinist of his day until illness cut short his career as a soloist, prompting him to channel his energies into writing these sonatas dedicated to six of his most outstanding contemporaries, including George Enescu and Fritz Kreisler. Ysaÿe’s Six Sonatas were inspired by hearing Joseph Szigeti play J.S. Bach’s Sonata for solo violin in G minor, BWV 1001, and Bach’s influence is palpable throughout, alongside folk idioms that reflect the nationality of each dedicatee, and more characteristic 20th-century elements such as dissonance and quarter tones. This mixture is bound together by the dazzling virtuosity one would expect from a master of the instrument. Liebeck navigates these nuances with the combination of delicacy and bravura demanded by these stunning pieces.

Brilinsky’s intention is ‘not to emphasize technique, but rather sound, and above all the magnificent music must be paramount. Polyphonic like Bach, Ysaÿe also gives a specific stylistic portrait of each of the six violinists the sonatas were composed for.’ Ysaÿe knew them all personally; several were associated with the Vienna Philharmonic, as he himself was, thus bringing together different European schools of violin playing. Maxim Brilinsky does not, however, approach all the great technical demands, the subtleties and individual portraits, solely in consideration of the expressive virtuosity of their dedicatees. Further highlighting association with the Vienna school, Brilinsky plays a violin made in 1862 by the Vienna luthier Gabriel Lemböck, who was also responsible for string instruments of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, founded in 1842.