1 – Ferdinand Rebay (1880-1953)

1. The Complete Sonatas for Violin & Guitar, and Viola & Guitar – Excerpt
   

Ferdinand Rebay (1880-1953)

The Complete Sonatas for Violin & Guitar, and Viola & Guitar

Violin/viola : Laurence Kayaleh
Guitar : Michael Kolk

Contrasting with my earlier recordings dedicated to works written for violin and piano or solo violin, this new recording is exclusively dedicated to the violin & guitar and viola & guitar duo.

A long quest for new gems that the vast musical literature could propose for consideration revealed my eagerness to explore the repertoire written for violin and guitar, an ensemble which calls for high technical requirements from both musicians, as well as a sustained conscience of the very subtle balance between the instruments.

Like Bohemian crystal, Rebay’s vibrant music is elegant, transparent, sophisticated in its immaculate simplicity, fragile and yet strong. His music embodies the characteristic of being often inspired by folk songs, while remaining very lyrical and descriptive in its various moods. Ferdinand Rebay was a well respected and successful choir master and pedagogue, teaching piano, singing and music theory, but the unpredictables of life destined the course of his existence to a sorrowful end.

This recording will allow the listener to appreciate the infinite colours and subtleties of the violin and guitar, two contrasting instruments that one often hears separately and rarely as a duo, especially in the context of a full recital.

After experiencing a successful concert tour in a various repertoire during the 2018/2019 season with my colleague, guitarist Michael Kolk, we are today very pleased to present these gorgeous sonatas through this recording. While performing together last year, our ensemble developed sound coherence, and we went through a deep interpretative work of Rebay’s sonatas.

I was personally delighted to take exceptionally the viola part in this recording and explore new sounds which happened to inspire my violin playing !

It was again a great privilege to record such superb repertoire. Hopefully, this new recording will give the opportunity to a wider audience to enjoy and appreciate Ferdinand Rebay’s inspired music, and the desire to many more musicians to perform his marvellous works.

© Laurence Kayaleh – Violinist
NAXOS Records – Summer 2020.

Sonata for Violin & Guitar in C minor – Ein fröhliches Perpetuum Mobile in Weber’s Manier

I love the last movement of his sonata in C minor for violin and guitar. It allows the performers to play with the various dynamics and accents written by Ferdinand Rebay, and offers them the challenge of emphasising the theatrical aspect of the music.

Sonata for Violin & Guitar in E minor – Finale : Rondo

The last movement of Ferdinand Rebay’s sonata in E minor for violin and guitar is characterized by strong and vivid mood changes. It is dramatic, dancing, virtuosic, intimate, calm and passionate ! It gives the performers magnificent material to express the many different ambiances through the sound colours and interpretation. It feels to me like a musical journey through the moods of life !

© Naxos