Bruch - Scottish Fantasy [Suwanai/ Marriner-Academy Of Saint Martin In The Fields]
Here's Bruch's Scottish Fantasy for Violin and orchestra, a real gem, and yet at the same time fairly unknown compared to his famous Violin Concerto 1, which is the coupling on this disc, it's baffling to me that this piece isn't better known, if you love the First Concerto, you will love this too.
This was Akiko Suwanai's debut recording, she was 24 when she made it, she's from Japan, she looks like a model, the wonderful pictures are by Christian Steiner.
The work is full of Scottish folk melodies, which Bruch expertly weaves into a wonderful fantasy, i so much enjoyed the first movement Adagio Cantabile [after the initial introduction movement], the Orchestra opens the piece, with gentle and ethereal stirrings, Suwanai comes in with a gorgeous folky tune [1:06], it has a flavour of a slow Scottish reel, after a while the same tune appears again [2:38], this time like a slow jig, and more impassioned, the piece slows down to a wistful and nostalgic magic at [3:24], themes are reminisced upon and lovingly caressed, truly outstanding and touching, the piece ends peacefully on a high note from the violin, a masterpiece from Bruch.
Here's Kyung Wha Chung playing the Scottish Fantasy on YouTube.
