Madoyan’s sound is rich and full of attention to detail. His subtle shadings reflect a finely tuned sensibility. Seemingly without effort, Westenholz consistently mirrors the violinist’s phrasing and articulation. We are given all this detail and still the big picture never gets lost. What a pleasure!
Both sonatas represent Prokofiev’s later output, yet they differ markedly from each other. The rarely-heard F minor, Op. 80, is longer – lasting half an hour. In the later, lighter, and more familiar D major, the form is more obvious, more accessible. The Five Melodies are 14 minutes of magic, exploring the composer’s lyrical bent. These little gems lead into the territory of the ineffable – of tenderly private and refined feelings shared in only the safest of circumstances.
—- Margaret M. Barela
