About the album
Produced by Bonnie Silver, Norbert Kraft
Engineered by Norbert Kraft
Editing by Norbert Kraft, Bonnie Silver
Recorded February 12-15 2009 at St John Chrysostom Church, Ontario, Canada
Booklet notes by Bruce R Scheuneman
Research by Jonathan Fronen
Cover painting: Portrait of the composer by Chai Ben-Shan
1) 12 Scenes or Caprices, Op. 109: No. 1. La Separation
2) 12 Scenes or Caprices, Op. 109: No. 2. La Polka
3) 12 Scenes or Caprices, Op. 109: No. 3. Le Lezard
4) 12 Scenes or Caprices, Op. 109: No. 4. Le Depart
5) 12 Scenes or Caprices, Op. 109: No. 5. La Fougue
6) 12 Scenes or Caprices, Op. 109: No. 6. La Banniere
7) 12 Scenes or Caprices, Op. 109: No. 7. Le Caprice
8) 12 Scenes or Caprices, Op. 109: No. 8. Saltarella
9) 12 Scenes or Caprices, Op. 109: No. 9. La Reine
10) 12 Scenes or Caprices, Op. 109: No. 10. Marche Russe
11) 12 Scenes or Caprices, Op. 109: No. 11. L'inquietude
12) 12 Scenes or Caprices, Op. 109: No. 12. La Consolation
13) 9 Studies: No. 1. Allegro agitato
14) 9 Studies: No. 2. Allegro moderato
15) 9 Studies: No. 3. Moderato
16) 9 Studies: No. 4. Energico
17) 9 Studies: No. 5. Melody: Largo
18) 9 Studies: No. 6. Gulnare: Andantino
19) 9 Studies: No. 7. March: Moderato
20) 9 Studies: No. 8. Allegro vivace
21) 9 Studies: No. 9. In imitation of the old masters: Moderato
22) Prelude and Improvisation, Op. posth.
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Bella Hristova has an impeccable technique and plays very stylishly.
Bella Hristova, a young Bulgarian violinist now based in the USA, clearly enjoys playing these pieces. The brilliant passages come easily to her, and her playing throughout is neat and polished, with an elegance that perfectly suits the music.
The musical diversity across the thirty eight minutes of these pieces is a delight. None of which would count for much if they were not played with the extraordinary virtuosity and musical maturity of Bella Hristova.
