Childhood Impressions

Immerse yourself in the enchanting world of George Enescu with "Childhood Impressions," a captivating collection of his violin sonatas and piano duets. This album showcases the prodigious talent of the Romanian composer, who was hailed as "the greatest musical phenomenon since Mozart" by Pablo Casals. The recording features violinist Stefan Tarara and pianist Lora Vakova-Tarara, who bring a depth of expression and technical brilliance to Enescu's evocative compositions.

The album opens with Enescu's early Violin Sonata No. 1 in D Major, Op. 2, and Violin Sonata No. 2 in F Minor, Op. 6, both written when the composer was still a teenager. These works reveal the young Enescu's remarkable gifts, blending classical structure with a distinctive, romantic sensibility. The sonatas are followed by the later work, "Impressions d'enfance," Op. 28, a suite of ten pieces that evoke the wonder and curiosity of childhood. Each movement paints a vivid scene, from the whimsical "Ménétrier" to the serene "Ruisselet au fond du jardin," and the dramatic "Tempête au dehors, dans la nuit."

Recorded in the acoustically superb Immanuelskirche in Wuppertal, Germany, this album benefits from exceptional sound quality, allowing every nuance of Tarara and Vakova-Tarara's performance to shine. The contrast between Enescu's early and later works provides a fascinating journey through his artistic development, making "Childhood Impressions" an essential addition to any classical music lover's collection. The album was released in 2016 by Ars Produktion and is presented in a hybrid SACD format, ensuring both superior audio fidelity and compatibility with standard CD players.