Slices
Vít Mužík, violin
Navona Records NV5874
Date Released: 2012
SLICES is a carefully handpicked selection of new chamber works by contemporary composers designed to showcase the diversity of modern music-making, and these pieces by Sundin, Bakker, Sainsbury, Rusnak, Beeler, and Burns cut right through the oft-repeated misconception that classical music is dead on the vine. With rich sonorities, structural ingenuity, and artistic flair, the composers featured here prove that not only is classical music alive, but it continues to grow and cross-pollinate as well. Get out your best fork and knife, grab your napkin, pull up a chair, and feast!
Stream/Buy
Works by Sainsbury Featured on this Album
Reviews
…one doesn’t sense that Sainsbury is trying to emulate Bach, Reger, Ysaye, or anyone else who wrote solo violin works. Uppermost in Sainsbury’s piece is melodic impulse, even in the thorniest double-stopped passages, the violin maintains a singing line. … It wasn’t too long ago that I purchased a Dutton CD of the Violin Concerto by Lionel Sainsbury, and its rapturous beauty swept me away. The Soliloquy is every bit as stunning. Sainsbury is a composer whose work I’m eager to explore further.
... a passionate unaccompanied piece... supremely well conceived for the violin...
... this very plaintive work for solo violin is certainly challenging and offers much for the soloist to do, but the net effect is serious throughout. Sainsbury has also written a Violin Concerto which, on the heels of this Soliloquy, I would like to hear. Navona sticks to its mission statement in providing interesting and diverse music. Many thanks too for the interactive (enhanced) CD, on which composer’s notes and scores are included.