Six Sonatas

Chicago-born violinist Tai Murray, a BBC New Generation Artist in 2009, makes her harmonia mundi début in a dazzling reading of the six solo Sonatas by Eugène Ysaÿe. Each sonata was dedicated to one of Ysaÿe s contemporary violinists Joseph Szigeti (No.1), Jacques Thibaud (No.2), George Enescu (No.3), Fritz Kreisler (No.4), Mathieu Crickboom (No.5) and Manuel Quiroga (No.6). Inspired by hearing Szigeti perform J.S. Bach s Sonata for solo violin in G minor, Ysaÿe wrote sonatas that represent the evolution of musical techniques and expressions of his time. He used prominent characteristics of early 20th century music such as whole tone scales and quartertones. He also employed virtuoso bow and left hand techniques that place high technical demands on the performer. In spite of these challenges, Murray s superb technique and burnished tone allow Ysaÿe s fascinating music to sing as never before.