Composing like baking bread
An anthology presents Henri Vieuxtemps' works for violin and piano; the young composer's art of composition can be admired in Air No. 3.
Henri Vieuxtemps (1820-1881) was an early talent. The Air varié No. 3 he wrote at the age of 13: "I make an air varié every day like a loaf of bread!" The introduction to the piece for violin and string quartet or string orchestra has dramatic dotted ascents and double-stroke sighs. The simple theme is developed five times in different rhythms and in double stops and is interrupted by powerful four-bar tutti. A coda brings the piece to a brilliant close.
This version for violin and piano is nice study material for young violinists with mostly acceptable fingerings; the piano only has a supporting function. The preface deals with biography and work and is stimulating, the critical report leaves the interpreter free to make his own decisions. In recent months, the Swiss publisher Kunzelmann has commendably published a number of other pieces for violin and orchestra by Henri Vieuxtemps as piano reductions.
In his later life, Vieuxtemps gave concerts in America, Europe and Russia, he was a talented teacher (Ysaïe, Hubay) and (still) a diligent composer. In addition to his violin concertos and string quartets, he also wrote for violin and piano.
The selection booklet Henri Vieuxtemps repertoire pieces that stand out for me are the 3 Romances sans paroles: Chant d'amour, Désespoir and Souvenirwhich last between three and four minutes. Their title character is clearly expressed and is reinforced by rich pianistic rhythms and surprising harmonic twists. The other longer pieces are peppered with virtuosity, in which the piano is also involved. The third Morceau de salon is amusing: La Chassein which the G string has to be tuned up to b and the notated notes sound a third higher. The preface describes Vieuxtemps' life and achievements and characterizes the works contained in the booklet. Friedemann Eichhorn has provided the violin part with fingerings and bowings. In the piano part, the solo part has been left as it was in the first and early editions.
Henri Vieuxtemps: Air varié No. 3, edition for violin and piano, first edition, edited by Olaf Adler, GM-1954a, Fr. 14.00, Edition Kunzelmann, Adliswil
Henri Vieuxtemps Repertoire. The most beautiful pieces for violin and piano, edited by Wolfgang Birtel and Friedemann Eichhorn, ED 22603, € 28.00, Schott, Mainz et al.
