L'Aurore

Carolin Widmann's "L'Aurore" is a captivating solo violin recital that showcases the artist's remarkable versatility and technical prowess. Released on ECM New Series, this album spans an impressive thousand years of music history, from the medieval compositions of Hildegard von Bingen to the contemporary works of George Benjamin. Widmann's program is a testament to her imaginative curation, featuring pieces that highlight the expressive potential of the violin.

The album opens with "Spiritus sanctus vivificans vita," an antiphon by Hildegard von Bingen, and concludes with a radiant performance of Johann Sebastian Bach's Partita No. 2 in D Minor, BWV 1004. In between, Widmann navigates through a diverse repertoire that includes works by Eugène Ysaÿe, George Enescu, and her own compositions. The inclusion of Ysaÿe's Sonata No. 5 in G Major, Op. 27, and Benjamin's "3 Miniatures for Solo Violin" adds a modern and contemporary flair to the collection.

Recorded in July 2021 at the Auditorio Stelio Molo RSI in Lugano, "L'Aurore" benefits from the expert engineering of Markus Heiland and the production skills of Manfred Eicher. The album's cover photo, captured by Wilfried Hösl, complements the musical journey with its evocative imagery. With a duration of approximately 1 hour and 9 minutes, this album is a rich and rewarding listen for classical music enthusiasts and those seeking to explore the depth and breadth of solo violin repertoire.