Frédéric Vaysse-Knitter (piano)
1 CD Polskie Nagrania Edition , Ref.: ECD-117.
Recorded at the studios of the Polish Radio, Warsaw, in August 2004.
DDD. Bilingual note (French-English, correct).
Length: 71'56.
Joseph Haydn (1732-1809): Sonata in E flat major Hob. XVI n° 52; Variations in f minor Hob. XVII n° 6; Sonata in d major Hob. XVI n° 37; Sonata in E flat major Hob. XVI n° 49.
Does a space exist between the interpretative freedom of the rough and dry authentic pianoforte of a Paul Badura-Skoda (Astrée) and the rare, almost rigid, perfection, of an Alfred Brendel (Philips)?. A young French pianist of Polish origin, Frédéric Vaysse-Knitter, allows us to answer in the affirmative, from the very first notes of his interpretation of a selection of Haydn's Sonatas. His musical career, already distinguished by beautiful encounters and fruitful realisations, has enriched him considerably and nurtured great maturity in him, as shown by this delicate and gently balanced interpretation. His light and clear playing does not search for simple virtuosity; on the contrary, it contributes to produce a just sound, a seductive timbre and a non ostentatious expressiveness that respects the spirit of the Austrian master.
Among the sixty Sonatas for piano composed by Joseph Haydn, Vaysse-Knitter chooses three numbered Hoboken XVI nº 37, 49 and 52, to which he adds the variations in f minor Hob. XVII nº 6, composed in Vienna in 1973 and whose signature carries the title "Sonata". It is a work of considerable greatness, dramatic in its last part (Coda), whose pianistic writing seems avant garde for its time, observing his long trills and his bunch-of-grape-like notes. His choice of the Sonata in E flat major nº59 (Hob. XVI nº 49) is an astute one, since this is one of the most beautiful in the series (composed in 1789-1790), where a great fluidity, a remarkable richness of theme and an astonishing unity meet. We can, in the same way, perceive in the heart of the initial Allegro a throbbing rhythm that seems to announce the theme of "Destiny", immortalized later on by Beethoven. The central Adagio e cantabile , according to the composer, "possesses a deep meaning that I will explain to you when I have the occasion ... it is rather difficult, but full of feeling". Haydn, for the Finale-Tempo di Minute , gave the rhythm priority, anticipating this way, once more, the great maturity of Beethoven. The other two Sonatas are tackled with authenticity, making the listening of this recording a great pleasure and fulfilling experience.
Jean-Luc Caron (18/05/2005) for [ResMusica.com]