HEIFETZ TRANSCRIPTIONS

Ruben Aharonian, violin
Svetlana Safonova, piano

We at Delos are proud to bring this debut recording by Ruben Aharonian – Heifetz Transcriptions – to the global listening audience. In addition to being The Violinist of the 20th Century, Jascha Heifetz also authored a large number of violin transcriptions, taking pieces originally composed for other instrumental combinations and rearranging them to be used as violin solos, usually with piano accompaniment. Orchestral selections, piano solos, songs and ballet excerpts, ranging from Bach to Gershwin, were all restyled by the master for use as encores or recital items. This special new release by Ruben Aharonian and Svetlana Safonova showcases 25 of these exciting transcriptions. Ruben Aharonian has more than lived up to the description of his talents by the great David Oistrakh: “A mature artist with a brilliant virtuosity and great musical potential.” He is First Violinist in the world-renowned Borodin Quartet, and in that capacity is currently celebrating its 60th Anniversary with a worldwide tour. This release highlights examples of Heifetz’s art in creating an extensive library of musical transcriptions – perfect for popular classical listeners, violin students, and fans of the fiddle alike.

J.S. Bach: Sarabande (English Suite #3) (2:45) 
Weber: Rondo (2:43) 
Brahms: Song (Wie Melodien) (2:20) 
Debussy: Afternoon of a Faun (5:56) 
Ravel: Valse noble et sentimentale (4:06) 
Albeniz: Sevillana (3:35) 
Mendelssohn: Song without Words (Op. 19 No. 1) (2:52) 
Godowsky: Alt Wien (2:26) 
Castelnuovo-Tedesco: Tango (1:55) 
Castelnuovo-Tedesco: Sea Murmurs (2:12) 
Gershwin: 3 Preludes – I (1:40) 
Gershwin: 3 Preludes – II (2:44) 
Gershwin: 3 Preludes – III (1:23) 
Ponce: Estrellita (3:06) 
Milhaud: Braziliera (from Scaramouche) (2:25) 
Rachmaninoff: Etude-tableau in C Minor (2:37) 
Rachmaninoff: Daisies (2:12) 
Rachmaninoff: Oriental Sketch (1:54) 
Medtner: Skazka. Op. 20 (2:42) 
Rimsky-Korsakov: Flight of the Bumblebee (1:20) 
Prokofiev: March, Op. 12 No. 1 (1:39) 
Prokofiev: Masques (from Romeo and Juliet) (2:06) 
Khachaturian: Aisha’s dance (from Gayaneh) (2:26) 
Khachaturian: Sabre dance (from Gayaneh) (2:25) 
W.A. Mozart: Adagio in E, K. 261 (cad. Aharonian) (7:23)