Every so often you meet someone (even electronically) that you just know is going to be successful. That was my gut feeling when I first came into contact with violinist, Johannes Pramsohler. Initially, he was just after some music for “a group he was playing with” (which turned out to be the International Baroque Players, whose concerts and internet videos were impressive enough before their debut CD, PISENDEL, blew me away – if you missed it, check this out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzEkSXdfMoQ), and then he commissioned me to score up some trios for another project (the equally focussed and stylish Ensemble Diderot), and over time I guess we have become friends as well as workmates, though we have never actually met.
All of that was my way of saying “This cannot be an impartial review, because I’m not impartial.” Even if I were, though, I doubt my thoughts would vary that radically.
Having established himself as guest leader of many groups, Johannes took the conscious decision a couple of years ago to forego the lifestyle of touring Konzertmeister and to devote himself to his playing, concentrating equally on solo work and the Ensemble Diderot. The first fruits of that dedication are about to be unleashed on the world in the form of a CD – on his own label! – of solo sonatas with harpsichord accompaniment from Philippe Grisvard.
In Corelli’s anniversary year, it is appropriate that the pair start with what must be among his most popular sonatas (the first of his ground-breaking Op. 5), and from the very opening notes it is clear that these two mean business, Grisvard finding ingenious ways to prolong his pedal points, Pramsohler adding the filigree above. It is obvious that they must have lived this music for some time prior to hitting the studios, for the give and take between the two is palpable, and the musical dialogue that could have been slightly muddied by the presence of a stringed bass or (in these days of plenty) a whole brigade of pluckers.
But the delights don’t stop there: sonatas by Handel, Leclair and Telemann follow, and the recital is rounded off (again as a tribute to Corelli, who ended his set of solo sonatas similarly) by a little-known set of variations on the popular La Follia theme by Albicastro. Each of the works on the programme has an individual flavour; Pramsohler and Grisvard enjoy bringing out the essence of each, while maintaining the high standards they set in the Corelli, and sustaining the balance between two musical voices.
I’ve been lucky to have a sneak preview – don’t miss it when it is released!
The Prima la musica! blog 