Description
Tessa Lark violin
Amy Yang piano
‘Fantasy’
Georg Philipp TELEMANN (1681–1767)
Fantasie No. 1 in B flat Major
Franz SCHUBERT (1797–1828)
Fantasie in C Major, D. 934 *
Tessa LARK (1990–)
Appalachian Fantasy
TELEMANN
Fantasie No. 4 in D Major
Fritz KREISLER (1875–1962)
Viennese Rhapsodic Fantasietta *
TELEMANN
Fantasie No. 5 in A Major
Maurice RAVEL (1875-1937)
Tzigane*
Recorded at the American Academy of Arts and Letters, New York, USA
Engineered and produced by Judith Sherman
Assistant engineering and editing by Jeanne Velonis
24bit, 96kHz hi-resolution recording and mastering
Tessa Lark managed by Sciolino Artist Management
and supported by the Borletti-Buitoni Trust
Press Quotes
A VIOLINIST TO WATCH THIS LARK IS MOST DEFINITELY ON THE ASCENT
“If ever the arrival of a disc on my desk has made me catch my breath in joyful expectation then it’s this debut from Kentucky violinist Tessa Lark, because she’s been one of my personal ones to watch for a few years now… I’m already looking forward to whatever Lark does next.” (The Strad)
“Her own Kentucky ‘Appalachian Fantasy’, a lively essay, all sun and haystacks, played with a combination of spirit and technical brilliance … Lark and Yang acquit themselves royally and the sound is, as I say, superb. Recommended.” (Gramophone)
“[Ravel’s Tzigane] performance alone must certainly be up there alongside some of the best available… a real winner, with playing of the highest order from both artists, and immensely entertaining along the way” (MusicWeb International)
“Wittily recycling the same Schubert song which crops up in his Fantasie, Lark throws a couple of Appalachian folk tunes into the mix. The technical brilliance is worn lightly, Lark sounding just like a folk fiddler letting her hair down.” (The Arts Desk)
“Everything on the disc is well played, but this quasi-folk music, which yields everything it’s got at the first hearing, will make your heart sing with joy… for the Schubert and the Appalachian pieces alone, I give this disc a high recommendation” (Fanfare Magazine)
“This program reveals the versatility of the performers. I deeply loved the Kreisler, the energy and sparkle of the Telemann pieces, the gypsy spirit of the Ravel, and the sound and style of Yang’s Schubert. This recording contains some of the best playing I have ever heard.” (American Record Guide)
“C’est beau et tendre à entendre lorsque les deux musiciens s’écoutent et sont complices.” (Classiquehd.fr: Interprétation: 4.6 out of 5 stars | Qualité sonore: 4.5 out of 5 stars | Bien-être: 4.4 out of 5 stars)
“a stunning solo CD debut… an outstanding performance of the Schubert Fantasie… a simply dazzling and passionate performance of Ravel’s Tzigane … It’s a recital of the highest calibre” (The Whole Note)
“Lark is a true original in the crowded field of violin virtuosos right now, and is definitely one to keep an eye on. (Kudos to the outstanding pianist Amy Yang as well, who accompanies on three of these works.)” (CDHOTLIST.com, March 2020)
“A good balanced programme” (Lark Reviews)
“… an attractive program of music for violin with and without piano…. The close rapport between Tessa and Amy, noticeable throughout the program, is quite evident here.” (Audio Video Club of Atlanta)
“A highly impressive calling card from Tess Lark – a fabulously infectious demonstration of her phenomenal talent.” (Nick’s Classical Blogspot)
A budding superstar in the classical realm, multi-award winning violinist Tessa Lark has been consistently praised by critics and audiences for her astounding range of sounds, technical agility, and musical elegance.
Silver Medalist in the 2014 International Violin Competition of Indianapolis, recipient of a 2018 Borletti-Buitoni Trust Fellowship and a 2016 Avery Fisher Career Grant, and winner of the 2012 Naumburg International Violin Competition, Tessa is also a highly acclaimed fiddler in the tradition of her native Kentucky, delighting audiences with programming that includes Appalachian and bluegrass music and inspiring composers to write for her.