Friday, December 5, 2008

Music Critic Picks: 'Rubinstein Sonatas' of Violist Nokuthula Ngwenyama & Pianist Jennifer Lim

[Rubinstein Sonatas; Nokuthula Ngwenyama, Jennifer Lim; © 2008 EDI Records (884501024150)]

DemocratAndChronicle.com
What our critics are listening to
December 5, 2008
NOKUTHULA NGWENYAMA AND JENNIFER LIM: RUBINSTEIN SONATAS.
The viola is the middle child of string instruments, running into the range of a cello but still treated like the obtuse version of a violin. Luckily, the traditional stereotypes for the viola don't exist for Ngwenyama's, which is likely why she's won so many accolades, including an Avery Fisher Career Grant. Pianist Lim makes her mark here, too, somehow drawing out a similarly dark and smooth texture to match. The Rubinstein Sonatas, often overlooked, offer a touching portrait of Romanticism. — Anna Reguero  [Full Post]  [Nokuthula Ngwenyama (b. 1976) is a Visiting Associate Professor (Viola) at Indiana University's Jacobs School of Music. “Thula”, as her friends call her, is profiled at AfriClassical.com]  The CD is available from http://cdbaby.com/cd/nnjl 

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