By mid-2024, the term “COVID-19” was appearing less frequently in booklets and program notes, but violinist Fenella Humphreys’ ingenious release stands out as a major contribution to this final phase. Humphreys writes that her program “grew out of a longing to keep performing music that I was gifted, arranged, or first discovered during the spring of 2020.” The 23 works on this album, mostly short and all for unaccompanied violin, showcase her ability to unify such a diverse collection within this most exacting of genres.
Humphreys excels in blending repertory pieces with contemporary music, creating a program that highlights the beauty of both and links them at a profound emotional level. For example, the modal shadings that connect George Walker’s “Bleu” to Debussy’s “La fille aux cheveux de lin” are striking. Some of the pieces are Humphreys’ own arrangements, which are often quite original. The world is full of arrangements of Bach’s monumental Toccata and Fugue in D minor, BWV 565, for organ, but Humphreys’ solo violin version is a revelation. This standout release captures the inward, meditative mood of the time that birthed it, making it an exceptional contribution to the world of solo violin music.
English