INDEPENDENT SUNDAY
07/02/2007

Viktoria Mullova and Katia Labeque´s fascinating recital breaks the trend for themed programmes. There is little to link Stravinsky´s bittersweet ´Suite Italienne´ with the still waters of Schubert´s ´Fantasie in C´, Ravel´s elegant ´Sonata for Violin and Piano´ or Clara Schumann´s ´Romanze´, beyond both musicians´ love of the works and each one´s respect of the other´s strengths and tastes. Labeque is the dominant voice in Schubert, offering a passionate accompaniment to Mullova´s contained performance. Though Schumann is warmly realised, the duo are strongest in the neo-Classical witticisms of Stravinsky and in Ravel´s sinuous ´Blues´.
AP

Many big name duos have the appearance and sound of marriages of convenience, brought together by record companies during a brief window in hectic schedules to spend a couple of days together in the studio. Sometimes it works, but the results often reflect the superficiality of the relationship. There is no danger of that in this marvellous new disc from Viktoria Mullova and katia Labeque. They have been performing together regularly for years, and this disc has the feel of a genuine recital, a true partnership.
The hushed opening of Schubert´s ´Fantasie´ is magical, with the early mist gradually clearing for a journey full of ´joie de vivre´. Mullova´s slides in Ravel´s sonata, captured in fine sound, have the fluidity and freedom that can only be achieved when understanding between violinist and pianist runs deep, while the pacing of the ´Perpetuum mobile´ is masterly. it might be thought that the Ravel would be closest in spirit to Stravinsky, but the Schubert emerges as its more natural partner. Not that the ´Suite Italienne´ is at all lacking in elan, though some might prefer a more driven rhythmic approach. Clara schumann´s ´Romanze´ is a sublime postlude to an imaginative and enjoyable disc.

Christopher Dingle