Music Review: Lara St. John - Bach: Works for Solo Violin, Partita No. 2 in D Minor, BWV 1004, Sonata No. 3. in C Major, BWV 1005 - Page 2

At age 25, the youthful St. John debuted on this recording with two Bach solo violin pieces, the Partita No. 2 in D Minor, BWV 1004 and Sonata No. 3 in C Major, BWV 1005. The results were quite remarkable and well-received by critics internationally.

The recording was released by Well-Tempered Productions and recorded with 24-bit technology, providing the performance with a paradoxical crispness and warmth often difficult to achieve with capturing the violin’s complex tone palette.

The choice of the Partita No. 2 in D Minor, BWV 1004 and Sonata No. 3 in C Major, BWV 1005 has a creative symmetry similar to the center of the Bible bisecting Psalm 103: 1-2: “Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits…”

The two pieces bisect what is Bach’s Canon on solo violin. The pieces provide St. John ample material with which to demonstrate her youthful command and informed insight into Bach performance. The Partita No. 2 Allemanda is full of dense pathos without being brittle and inaccessible. The Giga dances like the flight of birds, elegantly and with precision.

St. John saves her best playing for the Sonata No. 3, particularly in the Adagio/Fuga sections where her double stops are heart-rending, full-bodied and passionate. The Fuga is the pinnacle of refinement. St. John’s single note articulation is rarified. Bach: Works for Solo Violin, Partita No. 2 in D Minor, BWV 1004, Sonata No. 3. in C Major, BWV 1005 is a great Bach violin sampler that should make the listener look forward to St. John’s recording for the complete Sonatas and Partitas for Solo Violin (BWV 1001–1006).

Visit Lara St. John on the Web.

Selections:

Partita No. 2 in D Minor, BWV 1004: Allemanda; Partita No. 2 in D Minor, BWV 1004: Corrente; Partita No. 2 in D Minor, BWV 1004: Sarabanda; Partita No. 2 in D Minor, BWV 1004: Giga; Partita No. 2 in D Minor, BWV 1004: Ciaccona; Sonata No. 3 in C Major, BWV 1005: Adagio – Fuga; Sonata No. 3 in C Major, BWV 1005: Largo; Sonata No. 3 in C Major, BWV 1005: Allegro Assai.

Personnel:

Lara St. John: Violin (1779 “Salabue” Guadagnini).

Article Author: C. Michael Bailey

Arkansas son C. Michael Bailey has been in hiding since he revealed his family's abolitionist position prior to the War Between the States. He is a Senior Reviewer for All About Jazz and publisher of the webblogs (About) 100 Words On…, 100 Degrees At Midnight and The Pot Calling The Kettle Black. …

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