The Devil’s Trill @ChloeChuaviolinist
The Violin Sonata in G minor by the Italian violinist and composer Giuseppe Tartini has always had a larger-than-life reputation. Nicknamed the “Devil’s Trill” on account of both the diabolical difficulty that requires extreme virtuosity (utilizing techniques as double and trilling on one string while playing another line cantabile), and the curious story attached to it. Tartini allegedly had a dream in which he struck a deal with the Devil, who showed him the most amazing solo, which he proceeded to write down upon waking up, but in vain, for yet what he wrote down was still so inferior to what he heard in his dream that he would have smashed his violin and quit music, had he any other means of making a living.
The sonata begins with a wistful and dreamy melody, lilting yet with a premonition of darkness, depicting the restless sleep of the composer. An Allegro follows – the nightmare has begun! The third movement is an Andante-allegro, with the tempo switching reflecting agitated dreaming. The final movement is the part of the dream where the Devil shows Tartini the violin solo, wild and rough in its intensity. (Edward C. Yong)
Chloe Chua, violin
Isaac Lee, organ
Recorded at the Victoria Concert Hall, Singapore, on 6 Jan 2024.
Cover photo: Clive Choo
#thebestclassicalmusic, #music, #classicalmusic, #Relaxingmusic