Bel Canto: The Voice Of Viola - Antoine Tamestit

Antoine Tamestit - Viola

Cédric Tiberghien - Piano

Here the diva is the viola!

How did the viola move from the status of ‘dramatic contralto among instrumental voices’ (to quote the critic Henri Blanchard) to ‘a character of nobility and languor’, according toGeorg Kastner’s treatise on instrumentation (1837)? Going well beyond mere historical interest, this album answers the question by unveiling the charms of a repertory that delighted Parisian concert halls and salons throughout the 19th century. It tells the story of an instrument that at last emerged from the violin’s shadow thanks to immense virtuosos; and now the talent of two great musicians of our time brings back to life these pieces which offer much more than the exquisite languors of bel canto. The diva is the viola; its servant is named Antoine Tamestit, here making his first solo recording for harmonia mundi.

Henri Vieuxtemps
Viola Sonata in B-flat Major, Op.36
1I. Maestoso - Allegro 11'37
2II. Barcarolla. Andante con moto 6'30
3III. Finale scherzando. Allegretto 4'05

Gaetano Donizetti [1797-1848]
4La Fille du Régiment
Air de Marie: Il faut partir 5'54

Henri Vieuxtemps
5Elegie in F Minor, Op.30 6'47

Gaetano Donizetti [1797-1848]
6La Favorita
Air de Léonore: Ô mon Fernand 3'40

Jacques-Féréol Mazas
7Le Songe, Op.92

Elégie sur un thème de La Favorite 11'58
Casimir-Ney
8Prelude No. 15 for Solo Viola 4'58

Vincenzo Bellini [1801-1835]
9Norma
Air de Norma: Casta Diva 6'15

Henri Vieuxtemps
10Capriccio for Solo Viola, Op.55 3'