A Turkish violinist goes mainstream for her impressive debut
The Strad Issue: June 2025
Description: A Turkish violinist goes mainstream for her impressive debut
Musicians: Elif Ece Cansever (violin) Łukasz Krupiński (piano)
Works: Beethoven: Violin Sonata no.9 ‘Kreutzer’. Brahms: Violin Sonata no.3
Catalogue number: CHAMPS HILL RECORDS CHRCD173
After a steady, contemplative opening to Beethoven’s ‘Kreutzer’ Sonata, violinist Elif Ece Cansever plays the staccato crotchets of the Presto theme with a touch of bite, and gives plenty of attack to the sforzando chords that follow. This is vivid, theatrical playing, nowhere more so than in the E minor section of the exposition. Where Beethoven leaves aside staccato spikiness Cansever adopts a lyrical manner, both in melody and in the slurred quaver runs of the development.
She gives a thoughtful, elegant account of the theme of the second movement, with careful attention to the composer’s many markings. The demisemiquaver moto perpetuo of var.2 is delightfully debonair, and the minor-key var.3 is delicately moulded. The finale clips along vigorously, with Cansever relishing its many abrupt contrasts.
Cansever and pianist Łukasz Krupiński bring great lyrical sensitivity to the opening of Brahms’s Third Violin Sonata, with subtle melodic shaping and effective moments of rubato. There is fruity playing in the second-movement Adagio, with some rich vibrato. The Un poco presto third movement is light and airy, and the final Presto agitato is vigorous and open-hearted. Krupiński is superb throughout and the sound is warm and clear.
TIM HOMFRAY
Watch: Christian Ferras plays Brahms Sonata no.3
Read: Masterclass: Hagai Shaham on Brahms Violin Sonata no.3
Read: 58th Premio Paganini International Violin Competition announces admitted candidates
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