Maxim Rysanov
Wed, Aug 29 2012, 5:35PM
I never thought
that viola can sound so beautifully before I heard Maxim Rysanov’s play for the
first time! He amazed me greatly! I’m sure that as real music lovers here you’ve
already heard at least few of his performances and in such a case will
definitely agree with me :) It’s already been 3 years since I became his fan
and he keeps playing the most beautiful music ever. For example recently he’d
issued a disk of (my favorite) Beethoven’s works in collaboration with Kristina
Blaumane and Jacob Katsnelson. If you’ve already heard it would be to share opinions
about it. Personally I found it at onyxclsassics site. Will be waiting for your
responses :)
You're absolutely right, Mary. Rysanov is a superb player of viola. The arguably best violist in the world Yuri Basmet said about Maxim: "My rival has arrived".
The Beethoven recording you refer to is his latest recording on Onyx with a very peculiar repertory of rare transcriptions. I'm not interested that much in this kind of reworking of the less interesting works by Beethoven.
Rysanov sounds at his best in his very recent brilliant SACD recording, on BIS, with works by Bruch (an original), Schubert's "Arpegione" (in a transcription for viola) and Tchaikovsky's Rococo Variations (in a transcription for viola, made by Maxim himself).
Besides, the two volumes of Brahms work for viola (I & II), on Onyx, are superbly recorded and marvelously performed.
Finally, his recital with a very intriguing program (on Avie), with Evelyn Chang on piano, is equally compelling.
I hope you have enough to explore (if you have not yet discovered all of them). Good listening.
Parla