A man in black sits on a wooden stool holding a violin. Bold white text reads Ysaÿe: Six Sonatas for Solo Violin and Roman Simovic. The LSO Live logo appears above. Pre-order this 2025 album release now.

Ysaÿe: Six Sonatas for Solo Violin

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London Symphony Orchestra Leader Roman Simovic steps back into the solo spotlight with a new recording of one of the cornerstones of the violin repertoire: Ysaÿe's Six Sonatas for Solo Violin.

Written in 1923, Eugène Ysaÿe’s set of sonatas represent a musical snapshot of that moment in the evolution of violin playing. An acclaimed violinist himself, each of the sonatas was written for one of Ysaÿe's contemporaries: Joseph Szigeti, Jacques Thibaud, George Enescu, Fritz Kreisler, Mathieu Crickboom and Manuel Quiroga. What results is a creative love letter to the violin, challenging and embracing the technical and lyrical possibilities of the instrument throughout the six stylistically unique sonatas.

This new recording of the Sonatas joins a collection of acclaimed recordings with Roman Simovic on LSO Live. Renowned for his brilliant virtuosity and musicality, he has performed as a soloist with many of the most distinguished orchestras and conductors around the world and has been serving as Leader of the LSO since 2010.

Composer Eugène Ysaÿe
Performers Roman Simovic

Six Sonatas for Solo Violin, Op. 27

No. 1 in G Minor ("À Joseph Szigeti")
1. Grave. Lento assai
2. Fugato. Molto moderato
3. Allegretto poco scherzoso. Amabile
4. Finale con brio. Allegro fermo

No. 2 in A Minor ("À Jacques Thibaud")
5. Obsession "Prèlude". Poco vivace
6. Malinconia. Poco Lento
7. Danse des Ombres. Sarabande (Lento)
8. Les furies. Allegro furioso

No. 3 in D Minor, "Ballade" ("À Georges Enesco")
9. Lento molto sostenuto – Molto moderato quasi lento – Allegro in Tempo giusto e con bravura

No. 4 in E Minor ("À Fritz Kreisler")
10. Allemande. Lento maestoso
11. Sarabande. Quasi lento
12. Finale. Presto ma non troppo

No. 5 in G Major ("À Mathieu Crickboom")
13. L'Aurore. Lento assai
14. Danse rustique. Allegro giocoso molto moderato - Moderato amabile - Tempo I - Poco più mosso

No. 6 in E Major ("À Manuel Quiroga")
15. Allegro giusto non troppo vivo

Release Date 29 August 2025
LSO5130 | 0822231513025
LSO5130-D | 0822231513063

Producer Jonathan Stokes
Engineers Jonathan Stokes for Classic Sound Ltd
Recorded 13 & 15 February 2023, 16 & 17 April 2023, 20 & 21 Sep 2023 in the Jerwood Hall, LSO St Luke's, London

Booklet in English

ALAC - Stereo 24bit 96kHz - Compatible with Apple devices (MacOS and iOS)
FLAC - Stereo 24bit 96kHz - Compatible with Windows and Android devices
MP3 - Stereo 320kbps - Universal compatibility
SACD - Stereo & 5.1 multi-channel - Compatible with all CD players

Available on streaming services

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Reviews

“

Tackling the Six Sonatas requires phenomenal technique, versatility and imagination and Roman Simovic, Leader of the London Symphony Orchestra and a world renowned soloist, has all three.' ★★★★★

- Midlands Classical Music Making
“

Simovic knows how to shape his vision so elegantly and naturally that one experiences a distinct personality not only in each sonata, but also in each movement.'

- Pizzicato
“

By showcasing unrestrained passion, dedication, and deep musicality, Roman Simovic has not only brought the Six Sonatas to life but has also reinterpreted them for new generations of violinists.'

- Muzički Limbo