Viktoria Mullova - Recital
Stravinsky - Suite Italienne
Ravel - Sonata for Violin & Piano
Schubert - Fantasie

Mullova; Labeque
Onyx ONYX4015

Release date November 2006

Viktoria Mullova and Katia Labeque, in their first collaboration on disc, have constructed an absorbing programme whose musical balance is well conceived with abundant links between the styles. The Schubert is spellbinding and timeless; the rustling piano figuration in the first movement is reminiscent of his song writing, and both players demonstrate natural-sounding phrasing and admirable control of thick textures. The Schubertian influence is felt in the second movement of the Stravinsky, where the pulsating piano supports the lyrical and sorrowful violin, while the third movement's bluesy syncopation links to the Ravel. The latter composer called the violin and piano "essentially incompatible instruments, which not only do not sink their differences, but accentuate incompatibility to an even greater degree". It is this interpretation of the timbres that is his Violin Sonata's great success – out of the juxtaposition of two unique palettes of sound comes a new entity altogether. Mullova and Labeque project two wholly individual personalities but their communication is top-notch and the result is a reading with much to enjoy. The opening movement is eerie and playful; the flexible acoustic of the recording venue (IRCAM's Espace de Projection) is played to its full strength and there are some wonderfully clear sonorities. In the second movement (Blues) neither player shies from Ravel's intentionally ugly sounds, which is a delight. The finale is a movement of frightening technical demand for the violinist – despite Ravel's claim to its first performer that the sonata "won't be very difficult, and it won't sprain your wrist". Mullova is utterly convincing in her command of the instrument and achieves that great goal in Ravel – to project a relaxed air whilst being absolutely true to the intricacies of the writing. A captivating rendition of Clara Schumann's gorgeous Romance is a gem to round off the disc – both delicate and evocative. I would have enjoyed a bit more risk-taking in the Stravinsky, but the Ravel makes this disc well worth investigating.

Frances Boyson