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03 Paul Huang KaleidoscopeKaleidoscope
Paul Huang
naïve V 8088 (paulhuangviolin.com/recordings)

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Chopin: Nocturnes, Op. 9: No. 2 - Listen on Spotify

Saint-Saëns: Violin Sonata in D minor, Op. 75: Allegro Moderato - Listen on Spotify

Respighi: Volin Sonata in B minor, P. 110: I. Moderato - Listen on Spotify

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Every now and then a CD of such outstanding quality comes along that it leaves you struggling for words. Such is the case with Kaleidoscope, a CD featuring brilliant playing by violinist Paul Huang and pianist (and no relation) Helen Huang in works by Respighi, Saint-Saëns, Paganini and Chopin (naïve V 8088 paulhuangviolin.com/recordings).

Paul Huang draws a sumptuous tone from the 1742 “Ex-Wieniawski” Guarneri del Gesù violin, but it’s the power and expressiveness of his playing that takes your breath away. Helen Huang’s piano work is no less fine. 

The seldom-heard Respighi Sonata in B Minor p.110 is a real gem, with a gorgeous opening movement, and the Saint-Saëns Sonata No.1 in D Minor Op.75 is a dazzling work with a hair-raising Allegro molto fourth movement.

Paganini’s Cantabile in D Major Op.17 – which really does sing here – comes between the two sonatas, and Chopin’s Nocturne in E-flat Major Op.9 No.2, in the transcription by Sarasate ends one of the most captivating albums I’ve heard in a long time.

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Buy Now

Chopin: Nocturnes, Op. 9: No. 2: https://open.spotify.com/album/1l71ZTav7QqYs5mEETndN0?si=PCztfZ26Q9asF2aLfweb6Q
Track 2 for Linking    Saint-Saëns: Violin Sonata in D minor, Op. 75: Allegro Moderato: https://open.spotify.com/album/7tlFGDAm3gEsPABsj0M6Sr?si=hmmhePU3T3SxriSyOgyflg
Track 3 for Linking    Respighi: Volin Sonata in B minor, P. 110: I. Moderato: https://open.spotify.com/track/3HClLdveGuEbVmNdy9hAnT?si=aaafb7cd621440a2
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