CD release: Stephen Waarts plays Schumann and Bartók
Rising-star violinist Stephen Waarts marks recording debut with beguiling programme of Schumann and Bartók for Rubicon Classics label (release date: Nov 30, 2018)
Heartfelt conviction and deep artistic faith inspired Stephen Waarts to choose the programme for his solo debut disc. The 22-year-old Dutch-American violinist, a prize-winning finalist at the 2015 Queen Elisabeth Competition, was determined to record works by his two favourite composers. His new album for Rubicon Classics, made in company with pianist Gabriele Carcano, is scheduled for release in November 2018. It presents the unusual yet compelling coupling of Schumann’s Violin Sonata No.1 in A minor Op.105 and Three Romances Op.94 with Bartók’s Violin Sonata No.1 and Bartók and Joseph Szigeti’s arrangements for violin and piano of Hungarian Folk Tunes.
“Schumann and Bartók are two of my favourite composers,” notes Stephen Waarts. “My first instinct was to go with this programme. Rubicon’s director, Matthew Cosgrove, understood just how close these composers are to my heart. I believe they have much more in common than appears at first sight and that their music reveals things about both men when heard in the same programme.”
