South Korean violinist Sueye Park has released a new album pairing Karl Goldmark's 1877 Violin Concerto with miniatures by Jean Sibelius, including the Suite from 1929, the Two Serious Melodies, and two of his six Humoresques. The album is performed with the Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester Berlin under conductor Valentin Egel.
Goldmark's Rare Concerto Gets Fresh Attention
Goldmark's Violin Concerto, a relative rarity in concert halls, has fared reasonably well on disc. Park's fluid, silvery tone proves ideal for the long lyrical lines of the piece. The Allegro moderato frequently soars, supported by spirited orchestral playing. The central Andante is poetically done, with cleanly articulated melodies. The finale is warm and elegant, with Park successfully holding attention across its 17-minute span.
Contrasting Works by Sibelius
The album pairs Goldmark with Sibelius miniatures, creating a game of two halves. While both composers share a folk music influence, Goldmark's Hungarian style differs from Sibelius's Nordic nationalism. Sibelius's Suite is a charmer, with unpretentious pastoralism eliciting lightness from orchestra and soloist. The central Serenade features exquisite pianissimo playing. The Two Serious Melodies are warmly dispatched but lack the bardic solemnity of less overtly romantic performances. The D major Humoresque is lively but misses the airy fantasy of interpretations by violinist Pekka Kuusisto.
Upcoming BBC Proms Debut
Sueye Park makes her debut at the BBC Proms on 21 July. The album is available on BIS and can be streamed on Apple Music and Spotify.
