JAVS Spring 2023

in F minor, Op. 82a , are complex, well-composed, and beautiful pieces. The ensemble pieces, Silhouettes, 2ème série and Trio-Miniaturen show a more playful side to Juon’s work. These works also give Vendryes and Pikayzen a chance to highlight their powerful and tasteful romantic playing, which features perfect intonation. William David deserves many accolades for his melodic lyrism and deft handling of the piano parts in Juon’s works. Paul JUON: Chamber Music for Viola should serve as a violist’s introduction to a very under appreciated composer, who’s compositions should be absorbed into our standard literature. All three of these new releases represent the highest-level of viola playing. From Roger Benedict’s transcriptions of Debussy and Ravel to Tatjana Mead Chamis’s virtuosic contemporary Brazilian compositions to Basil Vendryes championing of Paul Juon’s viola works, these three CDs deserve to be listened to and added to the collections of any serious violist. With hope, each of these recordings will generate further interest, grasping the attention of violists to explore transcriptions of Debussy and Ravel, the viola’s new role in Latin and Brazilian music, and the under-performed works of Paul Juon.

Paul JUON: Chamber Music for Viola Toccata Classics

Basil Vendryes, viola Igor Pikayzen, violin William David, piano

On Paul JUON: Chamber Music for Viola, Basil Vendryes collaborates with violinist Igor Pikayzen and pianist William David to bring the chamber music of Russian born composer Paul Juon to the forefront. Writing in a romantic style at the start of the 20 th century, Juon’s works for viola offer a meaty and virtuosic contribution to the viola literature that are reminiscent of Brahms and Tchaikovsky. Comprising of three works for viola and piano and two works scored for violin, viola, and piano, this CD showcases the agility, clarity, and depth in Basil Vendryes’s playing. The two sonatas, Sonata for Viola and Piano in D major, Op. 15 and Sonata for Viola and Piano

Journal of the American Viola Society / Vol. 39, No. 1, Spring 2023

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