Niels Gade - Violin Sonatas (Hasse Borup; Heather Conner)

Information

Composer: Niels Gade

• (01) Violin Sonata No. 1 in A major, Op. 6
• (04) Violin Sonata No. 2 in D minor, Op. 21
• (07) Violin Sonata No. 3 in B flat major, Op. 59

Hasse Borup, violin
Heather Conner, piano

Date: 2009
Label: Naxos
https://www.naxos.com/catalogue/item.asp?item_code=8.570524

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Review

Three fine Danish violin sonatas in beautifully shaped performances

While Gade’s position as the father of Danish music remains secure, outside of Denmarkhis reputation rests on a surprisingly small selection of works, mostly orchestral. Dacapo’s fine recording of the Violin Concerto late last year (12/09) was welcome and this new programme of his three sonatas for violin and piano is even more so, especially as there are no recordings otherwise available.

Mendelssohn is reputed to have given the premiere of No 1 (1842), a charming and gentle inspiration, a little naive in places, not least in the salon-music-like cast of the central Andante con moto’s main melody. The Second (1849) is more accomplished, nicely balanced with a compound central span alternating Larghetto and Allegro vivace sections. The Third (1885) followed fully 31 years later and is the only one in four movements. It is a typical product of an older composer, more serious-minded but also more relaxed, less ardent.

Schumann admired the “compelling, distinctive Nordic character” of Gade’s music but those unfamiliar with his output will listen in vain for the pale but strong lyricism of say, Grieg or early Sibelius. The Germanic models now seem all-pervasive. What Schumann discerned may rather just have been Gade’s own voice. Be that as it may, that voice comes over clearly in these impeccably prepared performances, one or two intonational infelicities aside, recorded in the Libby Gardner Concert Hall in Salt Lake City.

-- Guy Rickards, Gramophone

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Niels Gade (22 February 1817 – 21 December 1890) was a Danish composer and teacher. Gade began his career as a violinist with the Royal Danish Orchestra. After his 1st symphony was positively received and conducted by Felix Mendelssohn, Gade himself moved to Leipzig and befriending Mendelssohn, who had an important influence on his music. He returned to Copenhagen in 1848 and became director of the Copenhagen Musical Society and Copenhagen Conservatory. Among Gade's works are 8 symphonies, a violin concerto, chamber music and a number of large-scale cantatas.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niels_Gade

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Hasse Borup is Professor, Artist Teacher of violin and Head of String and Chamber Music Studies at the University of Utah School of Music in Salt Lake City. Previous appointments include positions at The George Washington University and University of Virginia. Borup's main teachers were David Takeno, Roland and Almita Vamos, Philip Setzer, Hartt School, David Salness and Arnold Steinhardt. His recordings was released on Centaur Records, Naxos, and Innova Label. Borup plays a 1992 copy of the ‘Plowden’ Guarneri del Gesu by Samuel Zygmuntowicz, New York and a 2008 copy of the 'Soil' Stradivarius by Ryan Soltis.
http://www.hasseborup.com/

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