A vibrant and beautifully balanced recital for violin and guitar, PHCD 189 brings together three iconic works spanning classical lyricism, Spanish folk color, and Argentine tango. Violinist Levon Ambartsumian and guitarist Daniel Bolshoy form a compelling duo, shaping each piece with clarity, warmth, and expressive nuance.
The program opens with Franz Schubert’s Arpeggione Sonata in A minor, D821, heard here in a sensitive and idiomatic arrangement for violin and guitar. Ambartsumian’s singing tone and Bolshoy’s refined articulation bring out the work’s lyrical heart while preserving Schubert’s elegant structure.
Manuel de Falla’s Suite Populaire Espagnole follows, offering six movements infused with folk rhythms, Andalusian inflections, and vivid character. The duo captures the music’s dance‑like energy and expressive contrasts with precision and flair.
The album concludes with Astor Piazzolla’s Histoire du Tango, tracing the evolution of tango from its early street origins to its modern concert form. Ambartsumian and Bolshoy deliver a performance that is both rhythmically alive and deeply atmospheric.
A richly varied program performed by two exceptional artists, this album is an ideal entry point for listeners exploring violin‑guitar repertoire and a standout addition to Phoenix USA’s contemporary classical catalog.
Itunes preview: https://music.apple.com/us/album/music-for-violin-and-guitar-with-levon-ambartsumian/1675866335
