Ukrainian Masters
Naxos, 2024
9/10
The Ukrainian-American violinist Solomiya Ivakhiv brings us 3 in depth pieces that span 1922-1991, and welcomes the 20th century pianist Steven Beck.
The flowing violin and dancing keys of Viktor Kosenko’s “Violin Sonata In A minor, Op. 18” starts the listen with much grace and beauty, where Ivakhiv’s meticulous playing makes an immediate impression.
Myroslav Skoryk’s “Violin Sonata No. 2” lands in the middle, and illustrates much warmth and emotion from the precise strings, as Beck’s firm versus intimate key progressions won’t go unnoticed.
Sergio Bortkiewicz’s “Violin Sonata in G minor, Op. 26” bookends the listen, and showcases stirring violin playing amid sophisticated piano.
All the composers here are heroes in the Ukraine and inspired Ivakhiv in her formative years. She certainly does justice to the classical pieces, where her own inimitable talents are front and center, thankfully.
Travels well with: Bruce Levingston- Without Words; Weiss Kaplan Stumpf Trio- Beethoven: Complete Piano Trios