Stephen Sondheim

A Little Night Music (Suite For Violin And Piano)

Bridge, 2021

8/10

Listen to A Little Night Music (Suite For Violin And Piano)

A world premiere recording, this 4 movement suite by Stephen Sondheim is arranged by the veteran Broadway performer Eric Stern, and has the Opus Duo, i.e. William Terwilliger on violin and Andrew Cooperstock playing piano, fleshing out the 1973 Tony Award winning musical.

“Night Waltz” opens the listen with the violin and piano dancing around each in other triple meters amid much melody and rhythm, and “You Must Meet My Wife” follows with a loving musical tribute that leads with both instruments in the upper register and expands from there with lush and colorful textures.

In the middle, the swift “A Weekend In The Country” moves in 6/8 time, where a dramatic setting unfolds with furious and calculated deliveries, while “Send In The Clowns” is a gorgeous ballad that emits much intimacy in its octave manipulation and arpeggio acrobatics.

The reprise version of “Night Waltz” exits the quick listen, and brings the record full circle with a light and heartfelt finish that suits the mood of the suites perfectly.

Terwilliger and Cooperstock play with an incredible chemistry here, where they pay much attention to rhythm and meticulous dynamics between the strings and keys, effectively illuminating Sondheim’s vision with a radiance that certainly does justice to the classic musical.

Travels well with: Newman And Oltman Guitar Duo- The Book Of Imaginary Beings: The Music Of Leo Brouwer For Two Guitars; Florent Schmitt- La Tragédie de Salomé