[Cover graphic]

Compact Disc CDA67619

£13.99

As virtuoso violinist, the Moravian Heinrich Wilhelm Ernst was a legend in his own lifetime. He died before the era of sound-recording, and his personal wizardry and magnetism can only dimly be recaptured in the written testimony of his contemporaries. Yet to a significant extent it lives on in his own works for his instrument: for he was a composer who significantly extended the boundaries and meaning of bravura technique. Unfortunately Ernst has long been the preserve of violin specialists only—unjustly, considering his quality as a musical thinker. As a composer Ernst combined the reckless virtuosity of Paganini and Liszt with a sure instinct for musical substance, putting transcendent violin technique at the service of something more than mere display.

The brilliant Russian violinist Ilya Gringolts, acclaimed for his technical brilliance and inspired interpretations of a range of repertoire, is the ideal performer of these dazzlingly difficult works. He has made many distinguished recordings for Deutsche Grammophon and BIS; this is his first recording for Hyperion. He is partnered by fellow former BBC New Generation Artist Ashley Wass.

Recorded in Crear Studio, Argyll, Scotland, on 11–13 November 2006
Recording Engineer
PHILIP HOBBS
Recording Producer
ANDREW KEENER
Front Picture Research
RICHARD HOWARD
Booklet Editor
TIM PARRY
Executive Producer
SIMON PERRY
MICHAEL SPRING
© Hyperion Records Ltd, London, MMVIII

Duration: 55'51
DDD
Front illustration: Violin Player to the Moon by Hans Thoma (1839–1924)

HEINRICH WILHELM ERNST (1814-1865)

Violin Music

ILYA GRINGOLTS violin
ASHLEY WASS piano (1, 13)

Contents:

  1. Fantaisie brillante sur la Marche et la Romance d’Otello de G. Rossini Op 11 violin & piano [14'33]

    Sechs mehrstimmige Etüden solo violin [29'07]

  2. I Rondino scherzo: Con spirito [4'59]
  3. II Allegretto: Con grazia [2'01]
  4. III Terzetto: Allegro moderato e tranquillo [7'00]
  5. IV Allegro risoluto [2'50]
  6. V Air de Ballet: Allegretto con giusto [3'02]
    VI Die letzte Rose (Variations on ‘The Last Rose of Summer’) [9'13]
  7.    Introduction: Moderato — Theme: Andante non troppo [2'25]
  8.    Variation I [1'22]
  9.    Variation II [1'52]
  10.    Variation III [0'46]
  11.    Variation IV: Poco piů vivo [0'52]
  12.    Finale [1'49]

  13. Élégie sur la mort d’un objet chéri Op 10 violin & piano [7'53]

  14. Erlkönig: Grand Caprice pour violon seul sur ‘Le Roi des Aulnes’ de F. Schubert Op 26 solo violin [4'12]
Sleeve Notes

GRAMOPHONE EDITOR'S CHOICE

'Ilya Gringolts has the measure of both the virtuosity and the romantic sensibility - his performance of the fantasy is quite outstanding … He plays the lyrical passages with an intense commitment that's reminiscent of Heifetz His imaginative grasp of the music's expressive character makes for a gripping account of the Elegy … and the unaccompanied items fare just as well … Gringolts' technical command, beautiful intonation and exciting, deep involvement with the music make for a great listening experience' (Gramophone)

'[Ernst] His playing and his compositions astonished and delighted thousands. His transcription of Schubert's Erlkönig, played here with fiery vehemence by the young Russian violinist Ilya Gringolts, is a demonic tour de force worthy of Pagannini himself' (Sunday Times)

'In the right hands, such as those belonging to Ilya Gringolts, it actually achieves a degree of musical viability … What profundity there is comes from the listener's shivering realization that the humanly impossible is being achieved right before his ears, and apparently without effort. Even the formidable Midori, in her Carnegie Hall recital, doesn't make us forget how absurdly difficult this work is, the way that Gringolts does … Gringolts's cantabile playing is as remarkable as his agility. Pianist Ashley Wass … is rock solid and always complementary' (International Record Review)

'No one has come close to equalling the technical prowess and musicality that Gringolts displays here' (Classic FM Magazine)

'Ilya Gringolts meets Ernst's formidable technical challenges with apparent ease, and his playing here is virtually flawless even in the most taxing flights of virtuosity … He also dispatches Ernst's transcription of Schubert's Erlkönig with breathtaking aplomb and close regard for the dark atmosphere and sinister detail of Goethe's poem. Pianist Ashley Wass provides sterling support in the accompanied works, especially in the soulful, recitative-like introduction of the Elegy, in which Gringolts is at his own lyrical and intimately expressive … Violin virtuosity reigns supreme' (The Strad)

'Violinists will marvel at the astonishing ability of Ilya Gringolts in getting his fingers around this music with pianist Ashley Wass' (Liverpool Daily Post)

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