Nadja
In this live recording, Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg proves again that she is a violinist and performer sui generis. Her pairing of a familiar favorite with the premiere of a brand-new work is as audacious as her playing, and she puts her very personal stamp on both. The Concerto by Clarice Assad grew out of the long association between the violinist and guitarists Sergio Assad, Clarice's father, and his brother Odair. The piece, written for Sonnenberg, is tailored to her strengths, her fiery temperament and her mercurial personality. Tonal and beautiful, its dreamy, long-breathing melodies offer the soloist ample opportunity to display her ravishing, infinitely variable tone; the lively, exuberant dances and excursions into the highest register exploit her masterful, brilliant technique. No composer could wish for a more persuasive advocate. Sonnenberg's approach to the Tchaikovsky is highly idiosyncratic, but also fresh and illuminating, especially in its unusual lightness and caressing capriciousness. Her tone ranges from throbbing intensity to floating, weightless delicacy; her romantic abandon, tempo changes and rhythmic liberties are unrestrained. Though she takes risks with a true virtuoso's fearlessness, even the fastest passages are models of clarity and her intonation is flawless. The orchestra supports her wonderfully, and brings out all the colors in Assad's shimmering, sparkling orchestration.--Edith Eisler