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Yu Kurokawa & Wataru Hisasue / Brahms: Complete Violin Sonatas

■ Recorded works
J. Brahms
Johannes Brahms (1833 - 1897)
Violin Sonata No. 1 in G major, Op. 78 "Rain Song"
1. 1st Movement Vivace ma non troppo
2. 2nd Movement Adagio
3. 3rd Movement Allegro molto moderato
Violin Sonata No. 2 in A major, Op. 100
4. 1st Movement Allegro amabile
5. 2nd Movement Andante tranquillo — Vivace
6. 3rd Movement Allegretto grazioso (quasi Andante)
Violin Sonata No. 3 in D minor, Op. 108
7. 1st Movement Allegro
8. 2nd Movement Adagio
9. 3rd Movement Un poco presto e con sentiment
10. 4th Movement Presto agitato

Yu Kurokawa (Violin)
Yu Kurokawa, Violin
Wataru Hisasue (Piano)
Wataru Hisasue, Piano

Produced by: Arfinni
Released by: Muse Entertainment
Cooperation: Sony Music Solutions
Recorded: April 4 & 5, 2023
DSD 11.2MHz High-Resolution Recording
DXD 384kHz High-Resolution Post-Production

【Experience the true essence of duo art touching the depths of Brahms' soul.】
With numerous awards including 1st place at the Japan Music Competition, and recognition for his excellent harmony and expressive power such as the Idemitsu Music Award and the Sendai International Music Competition Audience Award, the emerging violinist Yu Kurokawa has received wide acclaim through performances with major orchestras both domestically and internationally, including the Suisse Romande Orchestra, the Spanish National Orchestra, the Tokyo Philharmonic, the New Japan Philharmonic, and the Kyoto Symphony. This debut album features Kurokawa’s interpretation of the three violin sonatas that he personally feels most connected to among Brahms’ works, performed in a duo with his long-time collaborative partner, Wataru Hisasue, who is active mainly in Berlin and worldwide.

The first CD collaboration of the Kurokawa-Hisasue duo features all three of Brahms’ violin sonatas! This programming was likely the result of careful consideration and the first idea they wanted to realize. I strongly resonate with this. Each piece, like Brahms’ other works, is highly finished and profound. Performing them requires fully embracing and expressing this depth. The enthusiasm and confidence to achieve this are evident from the choice of these pieces.

I immediately listened to a test pressing while looking at the score. It stems from a desire not to miss any detail. From details to the overall interpretation and realization, the execution is meticulous. The only image we have of Brahms is the portrait with a full beard. Doesn’t it make you want to call him “Uncle Brahms”? This performance seems to convey a message from that Brahms, from the bottom of his heart, saying, “This is my feeling, please listen carefully,” as if you can hear the “song of the heart.”

The nostalgic and warm theme at the beginning of the first sonata, the gentle gaze into the distance at the start of the second, and the grand beginning of the third that conveys profound feelings—all these pieces, composed at ages 46, 53, and 55 respectively, with the intuition and careful planning of a genius, clearly communicate their meaning, character, and essence. I am once again amazed by the achievement of these two artists. Of course, they are both still young, but the level of this recording is high, and it will undoubtedly become a must-listen for Brahms enthusiasts.

— Tokuhei Araki (Composer) (Excerpt from liner notes)

I have loved Brahms as a composer since long ago, feeling something indescribably special and almost reverent in his music. His music, which contains beauty that I admire and sadness that makes one hesitant to step forward, is rooted firmly in the ground rather than remaining in an imaginary world… Being able to record all three of his violin sonatas, which are particularly魅力的な among Brahms’ works, is truly a joy I never expected.

Since I first met pianist Wataru Hisasue through a scholarship from the same foundation, we have performed together many times. Working on these three special sonatas with his beautiful and ever-clear piano was an irreplaceable experience for me.

When involved in Brahms’ music, which can be likened to dusk or autumn of life, I sometimes feel a unique, hard-to-grasp emotion that swings between inspiration and doubt. If this CD can help listeners touch even a little of that Brahms’ world, I would be very happy.

— Yu Kurokawa

I am truly delighted and honored that Brahms: Complete Violin Sonatas by Yu Kurokawa will be released from Arfinni Label.

Brahms’ three violin sonatas each have completely different characters, yet share a rich scenery. I hope listeners will enjoy these exquisite works of Brahms, which speak to the heart with passion and gentleness, with vivid sound quality.

Although called “Violin Sonatas,” the piano part is also of equal importance musically, which greatly enhances the density of Brahms’ music. In this album, I aimed to record a warm, enveloping piano sound that accompanies the rich, flavorful melodies played by Kurokawa’s violin. Especially in the “Rain Song,” which evokes light yet has a fleeting emotional quality, and the dramatic No. 3, which contains passionate outbursts, the dialogue of dense sounds exchanged between violin and piano is a highlight.

I sincerely thank Kurokawa for playing with expressive richness down to the last note, the producer and tuning staff for their strong commitment to sound quality, and everyone who picked up this CD.

— Wataru Hisasue

Media reviews and more

With numerous awards including 1st place at the Japan Music Competition, and recognition for his excellent harmony and expressive power such as the Idemitsu Music Award and the Sendai International Music Competition Audience Award, the emerging violinist Yu Kurokawa has performed widely with major orchestras both domestically and internationally, including the Suisse Romande Orchestra, the Spanish National Orchestra, the Tokyo Philharmonic, the New Japan Philharmonic, and the Kyoto Symphony. This debut album features Kurokawa’s interpretation of the three Brahms violin sonatas, which he personally feels most connected to, performed in a duo with his long-time partner Wataru Hisasue, active mainly in Berlin and worldwide. (C)RS
BSCD2
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