For the Record, Op. 73: Philippe Quint's 'Chaplin's Smile'; Rupert Marshall-Luck works by Andrew Downes

January 10, 2019, 4:48 PM · Welcome to "For the Record," Violinist.com's weekly roundup of new releases of recordings by violinists, violists, cellists and other classical musicians. We hope it helps you keep track of your favorite artists, as well as find some new ones to add to your listening!

Philippe Quint. Photo by Isi Akahome.

Chaplin's Smile
Philippe Quint, violin
Marta Aznavoorian, piano

Multiple Grammy Award-nominated violinist Philippe Quint makes his debut on Warner Classics with the release of his latest album Chaplin’s Smile, celebrating Charlie Chaplin’s 130th Birthday with 13 New Arrangements of songs from his films including City Lights, The Great Dictator, The Kid, Limelight & Modern Times. Joshua Bell makes a guest appearance on two tracks. In a process that took more than three years, Quint, in collaboration with arrangers Charles Coleman and Leon Gurvitch, went through dozens of songs and soundtracks written by Chaplin to select the songs best suited for violin and piano. "Growing up in the Soviet Union in the 1980s meant we had very little access to performers outside of the former USSR. However, Charlie Chaplin was an exception. Upon my arrival to the US in 1991, I finally was able to acquire Charlie’s films on VHS. I watched them hundreds of times, every time noticing something new – his comedy was brilliant and touching. A few years ago, while looking for a new project, I stumbled upon Chaplin’s Smile. I knew the many different versions of the song by Tony Bennett, Michael Jackson, and Placido Domingo, but I did not realize that Chaplin was the composer. I became curious to see if there was more music written by him and, to my surprise (and thanks to YouTube and Google) I uncovered an entire catalog of his works. Almost Mozartian in its grace and charm, Chaplin’s music is deceptively simple yet speaks directly to your heart." BELOW: Philippe Quint plays, and talks about Charlie Chaplin's song, "Smile," as well as his other music that is less well-known.

The God Marduk: Works for Violin, Viola and Piano
Rupert Marshall-Luck, violin
Duncan Honeybourne, piano
Andrew Downes, composer

This recording of works by English composer Andrew Downes features the world premiere recordings of Poeme: "The God Marduk" for Violin and Piano, Opus 72, and Sonata for Viola and Piano, a transcription of Downes' Sonata for Horn and Piano, Op. 68, as well as two previously recorded works: Mass for Solo Violin and Sonata for Violin and Piano, Op. 52. BELOW: Andrew Downes' "Poeme: The God Marduk," performed by violinist Rupert Marshall-Luck and pianist Duncan Honeybourne.

If you have a new recording you would like us to consider for inclusion in our Thursday "For the Record" feature, please e-mail Editor Laurie Niles. Be sure to include the name of your album, a link to it and a short description of what it includes.

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Replies

Joshua Iyer

January 11, 2019 at 02:14 PM · What a coincidence! I'm writing a piano film score for Chaplin's film "A Night in the Show", so this was great to see! :)

Paul Deck

January 11, 2019 at 03:40 PM · Are those velvet lapels? I've got to get a jacket like that. Maybe my playing will improve. LOL

Laurie Niles

January 11, 2019 at 05:47 PM · Joshua, It's really lovely, you have to listen to it! Paul, velvety lapels and velvety sounds from another era...

Paul Deck

January 14, 2019 at 03:39 PM · Haha I've got a better chance of learning to play like Quint than I have of being as handsome.

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For the Record, Op. 73: Philippe Quint's 'Chaplin's Smile'; Rupert Marshall-Luck works by Andrew Downes

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