Vilde Frang: Homage CD

One mark of an exceptional violinist is the ability to vary dynamics, sound and bowing according to what is being played, and where. I recall attending a recital many years ago in the Wigmore Hall in London to hear the excellent violinist Hilary Hahn play recital music, including Bach's sonatas and partitas (I forget which ones). She played superbly ... but it was all too bloody loud! She had been trained to play out with a big sound in a large hall, and in the small recital hall I longed for a remote control to turn the sound down a few notches. It was always commented that Yehudi Menuhin, even during his good periods, always played the same be it in Purcell or Bartok.

Spending a lot of time indoors at the moment because of cold winds and dangerous viruses, I am replaying sections of my CD collection. Today it was a CD with the title Homage recorded by Vilde Frang where she plays 17 different and well-known morceaux or vignettes for violin and piano; a real challenge to keep a listener's attention. Ms Frang succeeds; she is an excellent violinist, technically — viz her playing of Scriabin's étude in thirds arranged by Szigeti — but more importantly, she has a superb palette of colours, dynamics and approach. I am having something of a Vilde Frang season at home at the moment; still aged only 33, she is a violinist well worth listening to.