Shlomo Mintz - French Violin Sonatas (2008)

I have already reviewed three new versions of the Franck Sonata this year, and have few reservations in placing this splendidly polished CD at the top of the list, especially whilst taking into account the sensible coupling. As it stands the Chung/Lupu Decca LP would be a little expensive if transferred without additional works to the CD format, since the Debussy performance lasts for only 15 minutes or so. Their performances are more musically impressive than the newcomers; in the Franck Chung displays greater temperament than Mintz and certain passages are handled with greater expressivity—for instance, the obbligato episode in semiquavers in the third movement. Whilst Bronfman's pedal effects are a delight in the Franck, he can phrase rather self-consciously at times. The recording quality of the much-admired Perlman/Ashkenazy performance (also on Decca) has not been greatly improved with transfer to CD; the violin lacks bloom.
In the Debussy, Chung and Lupu rise to the caprcious inventiveness of this the composer's last work in a way that makes the DG artists sound sober by comparison. Mints delineates his use of differing bowing techniques more than does Chung. Nevertheless, he is always elegant, with an immaculately pure tone. He has quite put behind him anything as mundane as problems of intonation.
Considerations in the Ravel Sonata are somewhat different, and here it is the French team of Dumay and Collard that are the most idiomatic (EMI Pathe Marconi). Neither Davidovich (Orfeo) nor Bronfman have quite got the 'blues' rhythm asked for in the second movement, the former almost allowing this to degenerate into a dirge (and Sitkovetsky's playing generally does not possess the technical refinement of the other two). The French players, who are well-recorded, opt for a faster initial tempo. Dumay's whirlwind playing of the perpetuum mobile finale leaves Mintz sounding rather careful, however fast his tempo may be. Taking into account the very engaging recording quality of this issue, the marvellously finished performances and the generously well-conceived coupling, I have no real hesitation in recommending this new disc.