C O N C E R T R E V I E W S
Birgitte Stearnes at the Wigmore Hall
Confidence abounded during Norwegian
violinist Birgitte Stearnes’ recital at
the Wigmore Hall on 2 May, partnered
magnificently by pianist Jorunn Marie
Bratlie. The intensity of Grieg’s nationalistic
instincts never wavered in her performance
of his G major Sonata, its contrasting
sections sensitively portrayed.
The Allegretto tranquillo opened sweetly,
whilst a furiously fast episode tried in vain
to lift the mood as the reposeful tranquillo
regained its lingering power through Stearnes’
delightfully sonorous etching before plenty
of character drove the Allegro animato
forward, Bratlie providing a powerful yet
evocative accompaniment.
Christian Sinding, who lived from
1856 to 1941, is one of those composers
we rarely hear on the platform, although
an earlier generation found much of his
music ideal for musical evenings at home.
Stearnes’ championing of perhaps Norway’s
most accomplished composers for the
violin proved the point with three simply
amazing works that ought to have every
violinist worth their salt rushing out to
buy and play them! Stearnes’ moving accounts
of the Opus 9 Romance, the Prélude to the
group in Opus 43 and the three-movement
A minor Suite Opus 10, were all eyeopeners
and ear delighters. Playing these
works from memory showed a clear affinity
with the pieces and the composer, the
Romantic essence oozing from the violin
with an utter expanse of a noble and
enduring Norwegian spirit. I thoroughly
recommend a recording of these fascinating
and stimulating Sinding works performed
so wonderfully by this duo, on the
Norwegian label MTG’s CD 54446.
An interval gave time to breathe before
Richard Strauss’ Violin Sonata in found
the piano supporting its symphonic posturing,
while the sweep of its Romantic
ideas produced fully blown and deeply
penetrating episodes. The Andante cantabile
was effortless in its transformation of the
delicious idiomatic themes. Here was a
performance invested with plenty of
emotional power.
Superb performances from Stearnes and
Bratlie all round; Norway should be
proud of them. DAVID ALKER