French violinist Philippe Graffin performing the debut recording of the recently discovered 7th Solo Violin Sonata of 20th Century Belgian violin virtuoso and composer, Eugene Ysaye.
“Eugene Ysaye is a figure of the violin who has fascinated me since I was a child … his solo violin sonatas are, for me, a doorway into a very poetic and imaginative way of using the instrument … and to my amazement, there is now actually a 7th Solo Violin Sonata …” Philippe has this week told the Violin Channel.
“This work was written in 1923, and is a manuscript from which was part of a sketch book that was recently given to the Royal Conservatory of Brussels … I was amazed that such an incredibly beautiful work has remained hidden for so long …” he has said.
“I think this is an important sonata that will hopefully soon be a part of our core repertoire … and I hope listeners will be drawn to the subtle Spanish pride in the writing of the first movement and the sadness of the second movement … it’s incredibly imaginative and poetic writing for the violin.”
