Reminiscences = MARIAS: Suite in D; 5 Old French Dances; BENDA: Grave; BRAHMS: Scherzo from “F.A.E.” Sonata; Berceuse; STRAVINSKY: Chanson Russe; PROKOFIEV: Farewell Scene from Romeo and Juliet; RAVEL: Pavane for a Dead Princess; SATIE: Gymnopedie no. 1 – Yuri Bashmet, viola/ Mikhail Muntian, piano – Onyx 4032, 55:57 ***:
Yuri Bashmet is, hands down, one of the finest violists active in the world today. His rich, creamy sound and volatile technique combine to make almost every appearance one of eager anticipation and multitudinous rewards. His conducting is nothing to sneeze at either, and I still think his Tchaikovsky String Serenade with the Moscow Soloists the finest ever recorded. One would think that a program such as this, featuring recital favorites and encores, would be a stunning hour’s worth of music.
In several ways it is. Bashmet’s way with the Marais works flies in the face of current period practice; this is big-boned, heavily sauced romanticism that dares you to think badly of it. The vibrato is fast and deep, while Muntian’s piano is hardly the example of subdued and supportive accompaniment, but rather an equal partner in typically non-partnered music. The Prokofiev is also nicely done, with Bashmet here particularly attuned to the lyrical aspects of the score while not forgetting the many acerbic punch lines that are so typical of the composer.
But the program as a whole doesn’t seem to gel very well, incongruous and contrasting issues raising their heads when one sits down for a full hearing. The sound too, is not up to snuff, being rather garish and a little raw [the last thing a viola should be…Ed.] , not presenting Bashmet’s world-beating tone in the best light. Fans will want this, but there are better albums displaying his talents if one is just making his acquaintance, like the Max Reger, Benjamin Britten, Paul Hindemith, and Alfred Schnittke album on RCA.
— Steven Ritter
