David Matthews: Music for Solo Violin, Volume One
David Matthews' Fifteen Fugues for solo violin, composed over four years between 1998 and 2002, not only constitute what is probably the largest set of violin fugues by a living composer; they also form an extended essay in musical portraiture, with each fugue 'depicting' its dedicatee. Like the Three Studies (1985) and Winter Journey (1982-83), a tone-poem for solo violin inspired by Schubert's Winterreise, they pose extraordinary technical challenges to the performer.
Peter Sheppard Skærved, violin
Listen To This Recording:
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Three Studies, Op. 39 (1985)
- No. 1 Andante appassionato
- No. 2 Vivo e fantastico
- No. 3 Lento/Allegro
- No. 1 Maestoso
- No. 2 Scorrevole (‘For Mark’)
- No. 3 Moderato (‘For James’)
- No. 4 Lento (‘For Roger and Sophie’)
- No. 5 Allegro festivo (‘For Roxanna and Stephen’)
- No. 6 Molto moderato (‘For Isabelle’)
- No. 7 Con fantasia, come un uccello (‘For Rosamund on her 75th birthday’)
- No. 8 Allegro sostenuto (‘For Carl on his 65th birthday’)
- No. 9 Allegretto (‘For Judith on her 50th birthday’)
- No. 10 Largo (‘For Peter’)
- No. 11 Andante con moto (‘For William’)
- No. 12 Lento serioso (‘For Jarek on his 50th birthday’)
- No. 13 Allegro (‘For Colin’)
- No. 14 Andante/Vivacissimo (‘For Anthony and Helen’)
- No. 15 Molto moderato (‘For Jenifer’)
- Winter Journey, Op. 32 (1982)
Fifteen Fugues, Op. 88 (1998–2002)
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4 reviews for David Matthews: Music for Solo Violin, Volume One
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Richard Whitehouse :
“Toccata Classics continues its valuable coverage of David Matthews with the first instalment of his music for solo violin – a medium for which his contribution is second to none among composers of his generation, and which itself is dominated by probably the most extensive and surely the most impressive series of unaccompanied fugues from any post-war figure. Throughout the disc, Sheppard Skaerved plays with an accomplishment and insight that explain why Matthews should have been encouraged to write extensively for solo violin.” —Richard Whitehouse, International Record Review
Robert Maxham :
“It would be hard to imagine a better way for those interested in David Matthews’s compositions for solo violin to immerse themselves in them. Peter Sheppard Skærved’s collection offers performances by the violinist for whom Matthews wrote the pieces, as well as extensive notes … by both composer and performer. …anyone who has the slightest interest in David Matthews’s work should find everything about the production illuminating, while violinists and more general listeners should find in Winter Journey a musical ocean in which they might swim virtually forever. Very strongly recommended.” —Fanfare
Jonathan Woolf :
“…In every respect Peter Sheppard Skærved, to whom the tenth fugue is dedicated, proves a fearless ambassador bringing his taut tone to bear allied to a typically close-up church acoustic, a favoured sound for him, as much in Tartini solo works as in contemporary Matthews. It catches the resinous commitment of his playing. …Once again Sheppard Skærved proves to be an intermediary of great acumen. When it comes to tone production he is not prepared to sacrifice acidic for silken if it better suits the music’s message. He is fearless in this close-up, full-on recording and has written some fascinating notes as well.” MusicWeb International
BBC Music Magazine :
“While the monumental 15 Fugues for solo violin charm and astonish, it’s the passionate Schubert homage Winter Journey that’s the high point. Peter Sheppard Skaerved’s playing sets a gold standard.” BBC Music Magazine