The Athens-born violinist Leonidas Kavakos—who made his name thirty years ago with his momentous recording of Jean Sibelius' Violin Concerto for BIS Records, which also served as a seamless comparison between the two versions of the work—is now tackling the essential collection of the repertoire for his instrument, Johann Sebastian Bach's Sei Solo (the true title of the manuscript). The lockdowns of 2020 have likely prompted some soloists, who were once busy keeping up with their energetic careers, to re-immerse themselves in the staples of the repertoire. In the last few months, several complete works of the six Sonatas and Partitas have been published in the field of violin alone. After the exceptional Augustin Hadelich (Warner Classics) came James Ehnes (Onyx Classics) and, at the beginning of 2022, Frank Peter Zimmermann (BIS Records) and Leonidas Kavakos recorded this great work in a quiet Lutheran church in Berlin (Zum Heiligen Kreuz). They recorded it in two sessions: one lasting five days (from the 27th to the 31st of July 2020), the other lasting four (from the 2nd to the 5th of December).
Jonas Niederstadt's beautiful recording captures the very essence of the instrument, showing it at its very best, especially in the midrange. Needless to say, there’s no particular desire to adhere to the principles of "baroque" interpretations here: Leonidas Kavakos follows in the footsteps of Nathan Milstein and Henryk Szeryng, capturing the immensity of the world in one great gesture. Just one long stream of uninterrupted music. Leonidas Kavakos isn’t looking to prove a point; he simply lets himself get carried away by the music. His slow tempos reinforce the structural tension of the arch forms built by Johann Sebastian Bach. There are impressive (even surprising) moments throughout, and all of them are powerful sustained, especially in the larger movements. The final movements will always stand out for their triumphant and liberating power (Sonata No.3, Fuga and Allegro Assai; Sonata No.2, Fuga and Allegro). Two and a half hours of sumptuous music, to be listened to in strict contemplation. © Pierre-Yves Lascar/Qobuz