Midori Komachi & Simon Callaghan - Colours of the Heart (2018) [Hi-Res]

Tracklist
---------
01. Violin Sonata in G Minor, L. 140: I. Allegro vivo
02. Violin Sonata in G Minor, L. 140: II. Intermède. Fantastique et léger
03. Violin Sonata in G Minor, L. 140: III. Finale. Très animé
04. Violin Sonata No. 3: I. Slow
05. Violin Sonata No. 3: II. Andante scherzando
06. Violin Sonata No. 3: III. Lento
07. Violin Sonata No. 2 in G Major, M. 77: I. Allegretto
08. Violin Sonata No. 2 in G Major, M. 77: II. Blues. Moderato
09. Violin Sonata No. 2 in G Major, M. 77: III. Perpetuum mobile. Allegretto
10. Hjertets melodier, Op. 5: No. 3, Jeg elsker Dig (Arr. for Violin & Piano)
11. Peer Gynt, Op. 23: No. 21, Solveigs sang (Arr. for Violin & Piano)
12. To Be Sung of a Summer Night on the Water: I. — (Arr. for Violin & Piano)

Violinist, Midori Komachi, has recorded her debut album; sonatas by Delius, Debussy and Ravel, which has been inspired by her project 'Delius and Gauguin; a conversation'; a programme of music expressing the exchanges between composers and artists. Midori has entitled her recording Colours of the Heart, on which she is joined by pianist and Steinway Artist, Simon Callaghan.

Highly sought after for their performances of the Delius Violin Sonatas, these two award-winning artists, have based this new album around their 'Delius and Gauguin' project, which celebrates the colourful inspiration shared by the composer Frederick Delius and painter Paul Gauguin, along with pieces by other closely associated composers.

The three sonatas for violin and piano - the third Sonata by Delius; Debussy's in G minor, and Ravel's in G major - are characterised by their contrasting sense of languid impressionism, complexity of musical language, and extrovert jazz-inspired immediacy.

Midori's sense of freshness and intuitive approach to each of the different technical demands presented in these works offers a wonderfully contrasting programme which any music-lover would want to have in their collection. The context of the album is based on the exchanges between the composer Frederick Delius and painter Paul Gauguin, who met in Paris in 1894. Around them, a circle of artists expanded - composers, painters and writers, including Ravel, Munch, Rodin, Ibsen, Hamsun and Grieg.

Grieg's heart-warming Lieder - songs which were originally part of the series Melodies of the Heart and dedicated to the composer's wife Nina - are also included in this, a premiere recording of the transcription for violin and piano by Emile Sauret, and have inspired Midori's title for the album. The works which are at the heart of the connection between these artists are Delius's third Sonata and Gauguin's painting Nevermore; which depicts a naked reclining Tahitian girl and which Delius purchased from Gauguin in 1898. The picture was displayed in the composer's music room and became his most treasured possession.

"I was particularly interested in the way Delius's harmony begins to evoke darker, mysterious colours after this period", said Midori. At the same time, Gauguin's palette starts to create expressive colours like music, as he put it: "Colour is the language of the listening eye." This is the concept of the album, and also formed the way I approached these works."

“Imaginatively and attractively played by Midori Komachi and finely supported by the pianist Simon Callaghan” (John France, MusicWeb International)

"...I can say with assurance that this is an excellent performance. I recommend the album to anyone wanting a fine recording of this repertoire. A very worthwhile album. (James Tobin, ClassicalNet)

DOWNLOAD IsraCloud [Hi-Res]