REVIEWS
CHERRY GROVE MUSIC REVIEW
JUNE 2025
IGNAZ BRULL: VIOLIN SONATAS et al
BRIAN BUCKSTEAD & IRENA RAVITSKAYA
MS1797
Where have you been so long, is a question that arises while hearing this MSR Classics recording of Ignaz Brull’s compositions for piano and violin – two sonatas and a suite. While Brull received wide appreciation for his compositions in the late 19th century world as a Viennese composer, he became largely forgotten after he died in 1907 as the 20th century unfolded with its new sense of musicality. Even if Brull’s work is gaining a revival, especially among those of us who love the music of the 19th century, we become aware many more of his compositions should be rediscovered, such as his operas, while we enjoy this recently released beautiful rendition of his melodic and engaging sonatas and suite brilliantly and lovingly played by Brian Buckstead on violin and Irena Ravitskaya on piano. While others listening to Brull’s music currently available on a few recordings tend to judge it as derivative of work by other composers of his time, notably Brahms, Mendelssohn and Schumann, it is more just and fair to enjoy Brull’s compositions by themselves and not in comparison with what others in his time did. The violin and piano compositions in this recording at hand are wonderful, engaging and gorgeous in a manner that begs no comparison. It is praiseworthy MSR Classics as a music label has chosen as part of its mission to resurrect composers, such as Brull, lost in the comings and goings of time; hence, the validity of my musical history question now directed to Brull, though he has long ago departed, where have you been? We must hear more of his work.
Joel C. Thompson
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"Soloist Brian Buckstead and his partner, pianist Irena Ravitskaya, enthusiastically hurl two sonatas and a suite into the ring of 19th century repertoire in the hopes of contributing to the renewed interest in this composer’s music. The players’ music-making is as warm and poetic as it is exact."
​Robert LaPorta (Owner-Director of MSR Classics)
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