3 Violin Sonatas Yuri Liberzon

• Johann Sebastian Bach (1685 - 1750): Sonata in G minor, BWV 1001:
• 1 Sonata in G minor, BWV 1001: I. Adagio 04:02
• 2 Sonata in G minor, BWV 1001: II. Fuga - Allegro 05:26
• 3 Sonata in G minor, BWV 1001: III. Siciliana 03:13
• 4 Sonata in G minor, BWV 1001: IV. Presto 04:39
• Sonata in A minor, BWV 1003:
• 5 Sonata in A minor, BWV 1003: I. Grave 03:51
• 6 Sonata in A minor, BWV 1003: II. Fuga 08:08
• 7 Sonata in A minor, BWV 1003: III. Andante 05:06
• 8 Sonata in A minor, BWV 1003: IV. Allegro 06:40
• Sonata in C major, BWV 1005:
• 9 Sonata in C major, BWV 1005: I. Adagio 03:54
• 10 Sonata in C major, BWV 1005: II. Fuga 10:13
• 11 Sonata in C major, BWV 1005: III. Largo 02:57
• 12 Sonata in C major, BWV 1005: IV. Allegro Assai 06:41
• Total Runtime 01:04:50

Info for 3 Violin Sonatas

Internationally acclaimed guitar virtuoso Yuri Liberzon is poised to release his third and most ambitious recording yet – Johann Sebastian Bach’s 3 Violin Sonatas (BWV 1001, 1003, 1005).

Johann Sebastian Bach’s solo violin works are familiar to most classical guitarist as transcriptions. In this instance, Yuri has chosen to record Manuel Barrueco’s transcriptions of the sonatas. These works pose countless complex challenges both interpretively and technically for the artist brave enough to tackle them. The slow movements require extremely refined technique to ornament and distill the beauty of the implied lines, the fugues demand the utmost skill in maintaining the subjects, countersubjects, and counterpoint, and the allegros and prestos push the interpreter to technical limits. All this while communicating Johann Sebastian Bach’s singular and perfect command of form, harmony, and lyricism.

Yuri meets every one of the demands with elegance and finesse, two aspects I admire in his playing. From the opening lushness of the first track, the adagio from the G Minor Sonata, Yuri sets the stage for the entire recording by slowly and calculatedly pulling the listener into a world rich with introspection and beauty. The strengths of this release are many but what perhaps stands out as a theme is how grounded Yuri’s playing is while moving you with a subtle forward momentum. For instance, the allegro from the A Minor Sonata was not taken at a blistering pace but somehow managed to convey a strong, steady energy, much like a tidal wave and the inevitability of its arrival. Another highlight was the monumental Fuga from the C Major Sonata. Again, it is Yuri’s calming but steady sense of structure that moves this movement forward and manages to bring out the overall arc of the piece. The counterpoint is crystalline and phrased beautifully. This does not happen unless it is intentional and that is what is fascinating about Yuri’s playing. It’s like magic – the sum is far greater than the parts. To achieve the effect of such a long line requires an architecturally gifted mind.

I’ve always enjoyed Yuri’s playing. It is similar to Manuel Barrueco’s for all of the perfection but Yuri’s caring and elegant sensibilities, and understated virtuosity, mark his interpretations as none other than his very own.

Overall, this ambitious project is wonderfully produced by both Yuri and Grammy Award-winning producer Nahuel Bronzini. The warmth and crispness that Yuri extracts from his Ruck and is captured in this recording are absolutely delightful to sink into. It may be his best recording yet.

Yuri Liberzon, classical guitar

Yuri Liberzon
Born in Novosibirsk, Russia and raised in Israel. Classical guitarist Yuri Liberzon has been recognized for his impressive technical ability and musicality. Based on his achievements in the music field United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has granted Yuri Liberzon ‘Alien of Extraordinary Ability’ United States Permanent Residency.

Mr. Liberzon has given countless number of concerts across the United States. Notable concerts venues include: 92nd Street Y in New York, Florida State University, Oregon State University, Santa Clara University, Marlow Guitar Series in Maryland, Murov Music College in Novosibirsk, Russia; Legion of Honor in San Francisco, Lesher Center in Walnut Creek, and many guitar societies. Mr. Liberzon has collaborated and performed in concerts with many renown musicians including guitarists: Grisha Goryachev, Patrick O’Connell, Piotr Pakhomkin and flutist Josué Casillas. Concerto performances with Diablo Symphony Orchestra and Tahoe Symphony Orchestra. Chamber music performances with Gold Coast Chamber Players, Palo Alto Chamber Orchestra and Quartet San Francisco.

Media appearances include: Capital Public Radio of Sacramento, Classical Guitar Magazine, Kol HaMusica (National Classical Music Radio Station of the Israel Broadcasting Authority), KUHF (NPR Houston), KUSF San Francisco, San Francisco Chronicle, Soundboard Magazine and WDR German Television Network.

Mr. Liberzon has released two albums in collaboration with Grammy winning sound engineer and producer Nahuel Bronzini: Solo album “Ascension” released in 2015 – music from Bach to Beatles and Keith Jarrett, and “¡Acentuado!” released in 2017 – music of composer Astor Piazzolla featuring a collaboration with flutist Josué Casillas. ¡Acentuado! is distributed by Soundset Recordings label. Both albums received high praise from the Classical Guitar Magazine, Fanfare Magazine and other reputable publications and critics.

Mr. Liberzon has transcribed music of Domenico Scarlatti and Johann Sebastian Bach for guitar. His transcriptions have been published in SoundBoard magazine and are distributed in Europe by Bergmann Edition.

Mr. Liberzon is an avid teacher. He has prepared students who were admitted into some of the most prestigious music schools: Juilliard Pre-College, Peabody Conservatory and San Francisco Conservatory of Music. Mr. Liberzon has been a judge at numerous music competitions such as Beatty Classical Guitar Competition in Washington DC, Junior Bach Festival, San Francisco Conservatory of Music Concerto Competition and Sierra Nevada Classical Guitar Competition. He has given masterclasses at Florida State University, Katy Guitar Guild, Murov Music College in Novosibirsk, Russia and Portland State University.

While in Israel, Mr. Liberzon studied with Maestro Yaron Hasson for 6 years. During that period Mr. Liberzon has been a multiple time recipient of the America-Israel Cultural Foundation scholarships and grants. In year 2000, Mr. Liberzon came to the United States to study at the Peabody Conservatory with world renown guitarist Manuel Barrueco. Mr. Liberzon has received Bachelor of Music degree and Graduate Performance Diploma from the Peabody Conservatory as well as Master of Music degree from Yale University. He was awarded full scholarships at both Peabody and Yale where he studied with two of the world’s leading guitar masters: Manuel Barrueco and Benjamin Verdery.

Mr. Liberzon plays on guitars by Gil Carnal and Robert Ruck with Royal Classics strings.

This album contains no booklet.