VIOLIN MUSIC BY DEBUSSY, ELGAR, SIBELIUS

01 Sonata for violin and piano in G minor L 140 - I. Allegro vivo Claude Debussy (1862-1918) Efi Christodoulou (violin), Margaret Fingerhut (piano) 5:12

02 Sonata for violin and piano in G minor L 140 - II. Intermède, Fantasque et léger Claude Debussy (1862-1918) Efi Christodoulou (violin), Margaret Fingerhut (piano) 4:33

03 Sonata for violin and piano in G minor L 140 - III. Finale, Très animé Claude Debussy (1862-1918) Efi Christodoulou (violin), Margaret Fingerhut (piano) 4:31

04 Sonata for violin and piano E minor Op. 82 - I. Allegro Edward Elgar (1857-1934) Efi Christodoulou (violin), Margaret Fingerhut (piano) 8:21

05 Sonata for violin and piano E minor Op. 82 - II. Romance, Andante Edward Elgar (1857-1934) Efi Christodoulou (violin), Margaret Fingerhut (piano) 7:42

06 Sonata for violin and piano E minor Op. 82 - III. Allegro, non troppo Edward Elgar (1857-1934) Efi Christodoulou (violin), Margaret Fingerhut (piano) 8:36

07 Six Humoresques for violin and piano - I. Commodo Op.87 No.1 (World Premiere recording) Jean Sibelius (1865-1957) Efi Christodoulou (violin), Margaret Fingerhut (piano) 3:48

08 Six Humoresques for violin and piano - II. Allegro assai Op.87 No.2 (World Premiere recording) Jean Sibelius (1865-1957) Efi Christodoulou (violin), Margaret Fingerhut (piano) 2:36

09 Six Humoresques for violin and piano - III. Alla gavotta Op.89 No.1 (World Premiere recording) Jean Sibelius (1865-1957) Efi Christodoulou (violin), Margaret Fingerhut (piano) 4:24

10 Six Humoresques for violin and piano - IV. Andantino Op.89 No.2 (World Premiere recording) Jean Sibelius (1865-1957) Efi Christodoulou (violin), Margaret Fingerhut (piano) 3:32

11 Six Humoresques for violin and piano - V. Commodo Op.89 No.3 (World Premiere recording) Jean Sibelius (1865-1957) Efi Christodoulou (violin), Margaret Fingerhut (piano) 2:48

12 Six Humoresques for violin and piano - VI. Allegro Op.89 No.4 (World Premiere recording) Jean Sibelius (1865-1957) Efi Christodoulou (violin), Margaret Fingerhut (piano)

The year’s 1917/18 proved to be an interesting period for three great composers active at the early part of the 20th century. Up until this time each was known primarily for his orchestral music but in 1917/18 the three composers decided to write for smaller combinations involving the violin. This CD allows a comparison of their respective compositional styles in, perhaps, an unfamiliar context. Debussy was to die soon after completing his Violin Sonata; Elgar wrote three valedictory chamber works beginning with the Violin Sonata within this period before entering virtual creative silence apart from the final masterpiece, the Cello Concerto. Sibelius was to continue his quest for symphonic unity with the final version of his Fifth Symphony before ending his career with the last three big orchestral works, symphonies Six and Severn and finally Tapiola in 1926. These four works place him at the pinnacle of 20th century music.

Guild GMCD7358