Catalogue

Summary:

“At the radiantly lovely opening of the Prokofiev Sonata one realises that Marina Piccinini’s flute-playing is very special, her lyrical phrasing cool, exquisitely shaped and with an underlying delicate sensuality … with Andreas Haefliger a highly sympathetic partner, this outstanding performance establishes the writing as perfect for the flute, even with one’s memories of the Second Violin Sonata, which the work subsequently became at the behest of David Oistrakh. Similarly, the opening of the Franck Sonata is instantly beguiling, with flute and piano echoing each other engagingly at the opening and in the dreamy Andante” – Gramophone

Andreas Haefliger’s provocative and acclaimed recordings for Avie in his series called Perspectives, juxtaposes standard repertoire with newer works and recreates his recital programs for posterity. On this new reording he is joined by his wife, leading flautist Marina Piccinini, for an equally stimulating selection that is a pure partnership of equals. Each takes a solo turn – Piccinini with Debussy’s Syrinx and Haefliger with the Liszt arrangement of Wagner’s Liebestod – and they come together for two titans of the flute repertory, the Sonatas of Franck and Prokofiev. To quote MusicWeb, “Programming in this way is in itself an art,” and with such polished performances a recording with obvious appeal.

Tracklist:

SERGEI PROKOFIEV (1891–1953)
Flute Sonata in D Major, Op. 94 (23:51)
1. I Moderato (8:20)
2. II Scherzo. Allegretto scherzando (5:12)
3. III Andante (3:48)
4. IV Allegro con brio (6:31)

CLAUDE DEBUSSY (1862–1918)
5. Syrinx (3:17)

RICHARD WAGNER (1813–1883); trans. FRANZ LISZT (1811–1886)
Tristan und Isolde, WWV 90
6. Liebestod (8:39)

CESAR FRANCK (1822–1890)
Sonata in A Major for Violin and Piano (27:55)
(Arr. for Flute and Piano by Marina Piccinini)
7. I Allegretto ben moderato (6:06)
8. II Allegro (7:54)
9. III Recitativo – Fantasia. Moderato (7:53)
10. IV Allegretto poco mosso (6:02)

Total duration: 64:08

Recorded 14 – 15 November 2004, 24 May 2005 (Debussy), 28 May 2005 (Wagner/Liszt), at Reistadel-Neumarkt/Oberpfalz, Germany
Recording Producer and Balance Engineer: Markus Heiland
Editing: Markus Heiland