JÖRG WIDMANN (b.1973): Etudes I-III, SALVATORE SCIARRINO (b.1947): 6 Capricci, PIERRE BOULEZ (b.1925): Anthèmes, EUGÈNE YSAŸE (1858-1931): Sonatas Nos. 2 & 4.

Description: Boulez' Anthèmes was derived from music originally conceived for his 'conceptual' work-continuously-in-progress ... explosante-fixe.... This version was a birthday tribute for the director of Boulez' publishers. A compendium of violin gesture, the piece makes a surprisingly melodic, sometimes playful, impression, and could only possibly be by a French composer. Sciarrino's Capricci are full of the subtle, extended technique sounds, skittering filigree and instrumental 'breathing' that one expects of this composer. S ciarrino's fertile imagination and exquisitely attuned ear has given rise to some of the most elemental music in the contemporary field; o ne could almost imagine that these are amplified recordings of microcosmic natural phenomena. The performer's brother's first Etude preceded the others by six years; it explores textures and techniques in improvisatory fashion. The second requires the violinist to sing and play, creating quarter-tone intervals, while the last is an over-the -top virtuoso perpetuum mobile inspired by the present performer's practicing of difficult runs in Ysaÿe sonatas. Carolin Widmann (violin). 2005 release.