Sergey Khachatryan presents the first recording of Ysaÿe’s 6 Solo Sonatas Op.27 on the composer’s Guarneri del Gesù violin - a magnificent, hypnotic instrument!

Today aged thirty-eight, and the precocious First Prize Winner of the International Sibelius Competition in 2000 and the Queen Elisabeth Competition in 2005, the Armenian violinist here once more demonstrates his radiant maturity, along the same lines as he did in his sumptuous recording, so personal, of Bach’s Sonatas and Partitas.

Here Sergey Khachatryan delivers an interpretation of heightened feelings, where what might otherwise come across as impish is deliberately turned into something fierce (the Prelude of Sonata No. 2, which uses the opening motif of Bach’s Partita No. 3), or that which is merely imitative becomes wild and relentless (the Finale of Sonata No. 4).

He willfully emphasizes the popular inspiration underlying the complete collection, here replete with shadings and a sumptuousness previously unheard.

1. Ysaÿe: Sonata for Solo Violin No. 1 in G Minor, Op. 27
2. Ysaÿe: Sonata for Solo Violin No. 2 in A Minor, Op. 27
3. Ysaÿe: Sonata for Solo Violin No. 3 in D Minor, Op. 27: Ballade
4. Ysaÿe: Sonata for Solo Violin No. 4 in E Minor, Op. 27
5. Ysaÿe: Sonata for Solo Violin No. 5 in G Major, Op. 27
6. Ysaÿe: Sonata for Solo Violin No. 6 in E Major, Op. 27: Allegro giusto non troppo vivo - Poco lento - Allegretto poco scherzando - Allegro tempo primo

Paying homage to Ysaÿe, Sergey opens on Sonata for Solo Violin No. 1 in G Minor, Op. 27: and first the aching yearn within Grave. Lento assai, the infused Fugato. Molto moderato, the gradually playful Allegretto poco scherzoso. Amabile, closing on the sterner fare of Finale con brio. Allegro fermo; and follows that up with Sonata for Solo Violin No. 2 in A Minor, Op. 27: opening on the sprightly Obsession. Prélude. Poco vivace - Meno mosso - Tempo vivo, the languishing Malinconia. Poco lento, the perky Danse des ombres. Sarabande. Lento - Variation I - Variation II. Musette - Variations III, IV, V, VI, closing on the flourishinSonata for Solo Violin No. 3 in D Minor, Op. 27: Balladeg Les Furies. Allegro furioso; and then brings us the seven minute opus.

Along next is Sonata for Solo Violin No. 4 in E Minor, Op. 27: which begins with the the precisely-sculpted Allemanda. Lento maestoso, the delicately plucked majesties found within Sarabande. Quasi lento, culminating on the vibrant Finale. Presto ma non troppol then we get Sonata for Solo Violin No. 5 in G Major, Op. 27: which opens on the stoic fare of L’Aurore. Lento assai and closes on the impassioned Danse rustique. Allegro giocoso molto moderato - Moderato amabile - Tempo primo; the works ending with the enigmatically-charged Sonata for Solo Violin No. 6 in E Major, Op. 27: Allegro giusto non troppo vivo - Poco lento - Allegretto poco scherzando - Allegro tempo primo.

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