The Strad Recommends: Elena Urioste: Thème Varié

THE STRAD RECOMMENDS

The Strad Issue: September 2026

Description: An adventurous partnership again strikes gold

Musicians: Elena Urioste (violin) Tom Poster (piano)

Works: Music by Baraine, Bonis, Lekeu, Messiaen, Saint-Saëns and Sohy

Catalogue number: CHANDOS CHAN20380

Elena Urioste and Tom Poster observe in their booklet note for Thème varié not only that Franck’s music isn’t heard as much here in the UK as it might be, but also showcases the many other gems of French and Belgian repertoire spanning a 40-year period from 1892 to 1932. It’s a reminder from these programming superstars of music so good you wonder why it isn’t better known.

So it’s Franck who is the unifying thread over this carefully researched album. Franck taught Mel Bonis, whose three pieces for violin and piano all sport her trademark long lines. Urioste brings to them a beautifully nuance-filled lyricism –expressively partnered by Poster. Franck also taught Lekeu, whose Violin Sonata (written for Ysaÿe) is here taut and mercurial, allied to a conversational intimacy.

The real discovery for me is the Thème varié composed in 1921 by Bonis’s pupil, Charlotte Sohy. It is dedicated to Nadia Boulanger and is a texturally shimmering work moving from darkness to light over which the clarity and poetry of Poster’s voicing constantly draws the ear. Equally compelling in the hands of these musicians is Messiaen’s 1932 Thème et Variations and the softly haunting Nocturne by Messiaen’s friend, Elsa Barraine.

Charlotte Gardner