LENNOX IN PARIS Bach/Stern
Various composers Emmanuel Bach, violin; Jenny Stern, piano Willowhayne Records (2022) ‘Lennox In Paris’ is a new release this month from Willowhayne Records featuring Emmanuel Bach on violin and Jenny Stern on piano. The selection kicks off with Lennox Berkeley’s ‘ Sonatina for Violin and Piano ’ . Wide intervals in the top line of ‘Moderato’ create a sing-song effect accompanied by carillon motifs on piano. Thrilling yet artful, it is a considered yet soulful performance. For ‘Lento’ is a smokier tonality from the violin, its breath drawn across tender chords. The final movement, conversely, a greeting from an eager child. There follows ‘Sonata No. 1’, plaintive to start, changing to effervescence, a gently warm tone on violin maintained with absence of vibrato. The mood changes again before the listener is fully aware. In ‘Adagio - Allegro – Adagio’ a searing string is matched by a strident piano. Neither of which content to be ‘pinned-down’. Eventually dissolving, extraordinari