Akiko Suwanai’s rendition of Bach’s Ciaccona (Chaconne) is the best I have ever heard. I say this as someone who obsesses over J. S. Bach’s sonatas and partitas for solo violin. I don’t even know just how many recordings of the sonatas and partitas that I own, nor am I quick to attempt to count them all. Some advice, don’t buy the SACD (Super Audio CD) as it is very expensive and is a waste of money. It doesn’t sound nearly as good as the HiRes version of the album. You can get the HiRes album from Qobuz, however, for some odd reason the album is not included on Akiko Suwanai’s artist profile page. It is also not listed in English. Search for 諏訪内晶子 (or click here) and it will come up. I’ve searched, but can’t locate the album on Presto Music, where you can also get HiRes albums.
Neutral Milk Hotel: Oh Sister (1995) FROM Ferris Wheel on Fire
Camille Thomas: 24 Preludes, Op. 28: No. 15 in D-Flat Major “Raindrop” (Arr. Franchomme for 4 Cellos) FROM The Chopin Project: The Franchomme Legacy
J.J. Cale: Don’t Cry Sister FROM 5
Julius Berger: Suite No. 2 in D Minor, Op. 131c: I. Präludium (Max Reger) FROM Soldanella – Works for Violoncello solo
Konstantin Emelyanov: Visions Fugitives, Op. 22: No. 1, Lentamente (Sergei Prokofiev) FROM Debussy, Prokofiev, Barber
Eric Lu: 24 Preludes, Op. 28: No. 15 in D-Flat Major, “Raindrop” (Frédéric Chopin) FROM Chopin – Brahms – Schumann
Konstantin Emelyanov: Visions Fugitives, Op. 22: No. 2, Andante (Sergei Prokofiev) FROM Debussy, Prokofiev, Barber
Louis Armstrong: Let’s Do It (Let’s Fall In Love) FROM Ella And Louis Again
Patricia Kopatchinskaja: Violin Sonata, JW VII/7: I. Con moto (Leoš Janáček) FROM Janáček – Brahms – Bartók
Neutral Milk Hotel: Engine (1993) FROM Ferris Wheel on Fire
Elliott Smith: Somebody That I Used To Know FROM Figure 8 (Deluxe Edition)
Elliott Smith: Single File (25th Anniversary Remaster) FROM Elliott Smith: Expanded 25th Anniversary Edition
It is an album of intense piano music. There are many piano albums that reach beyond the normal market for those that would normally listen to an album of piano playing. This is one. It is a very strong, endearing album.
Yes, it is time for another red flag. I have done this before. I might start doing this more often. I do not enjoy saying negative things about a musician. I fully understand how difficult it is for most musicians to make a living doing what they love and what they have worked so hard at. However, there is also room for the consumer; caution signs. Do not enter. Do not spend your money on this album. Today I am referring to Jonian Ilias Kadesha’s album, Hommage à J. S. B.: Works for Solo Violin released by Linn Records. He has no sensitivity to Bach or how the violin should speak for Bach. Oddly, he does play Partita No. 2 in D minor: I. Allemande very well. I would even say it is beautiful, but the rest of the album is nauseating. This is incredibly unfortunate as there are some great selections for this album.
Tianwa Yang: Violin Concerto in E minor, Op. 64, MWV O14: I. Allegro molto appassionato FROM Concertos pour violon
Modern Jazz Quartet: New York 19 FROM Lonely Woman
Sophie Kauer: 3 Morceaux, Op. 11: No. 1, Prelude in B Minor (Transc. for Cello and Piano) FROM Unsung
Dudok Quartet Amsterdam: String Quartet in F Minor, Op. 80: I. Allegro vivace assai FROM Solitude: Mendelssohn, Weinberg & Shostakovich
Cyrille Dubois: Bilitis: Berceuse FROM Compositrices: New Light on French Romantic Women Composers
Camille Thomas: 3 Nocturnes, Op. 14: No. 1, Andante FROM The Chopin Project: The Franchomme Legacy
Jonas Nordberg: Farewell, P. 4 “In nomine” FROM Lessons
Constance Luzzati: Pièces de clavecin, Suite in D, RCT 3: VI. L’Entretien des muses FROM Enharmonique Rameau
Yuja Wang: Piano Concerto No. 2 in G minor, Op. 16: II Scherzo (Vivace) (Live from Caracas / 2013) FROM Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No.3 In D Minor, Op.30 – Prokofiev: Piano Concerto No.2 In G Minor, Op.16 (Live)
Willie Nelson: Ou Es-Tu, Mon Amour? FROM Teatro
Kaleidoscope Chamber Collective: Sextet in D Major, Op. 110: III. Menuetto FROM Fanny & Felix Mendelssohn: Piano Sextet, Piano Quartet, Piano Trio
Jutta Hipp Quintet: Don’t Worry ‘Bout Me FROM New Faces – New Sounds From Germany
Sonic Youth: Basement Contender FROM In/Out/In
Son House: Special Rider Blues FROM Scorsese Presents / Grinnin’ in Your Face / Depot Blues
Joanna Newsom: Bridges & Balloons FROM The Milk-Eyed Mender (*Not available on Spotify)
Jason Loewenstein: The Fuck Out FROM Spooky Action
Sasa Vectomov: Sonata for Cello and Piano in G Minor, Op. 65: II. Scherzo. Allegro con brio FROM Chopin: Works for Cello and Piano
