A New Season (9/14/23)

Gotham Early Music Scene (9/14/23) 

On Paganini’s Trail ~ H.W. Ernst & More
Edson Scheid ~ period violin

Six Polyphonic Studies – Heinrich Wilhelm Ernst (1812–1865)
I. Rondino Scherzo – Con spirito; II. Allegretto – Con grazie; III. Terzetto – Allegro moderato e tranquillo; IV. Allegro risoluto; V. Air de Ballet – Allegretto con giusto; VI. Variations on The Last Rose of Summer

Grand Caprice for Solo Violin (after Schubert’s Erlkönig), Op. 26 – H.W. Ernst

Rondo from Duo in G Major for Violin and Viola, KV 423 – Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756–1791) Arranged for solo violin by Edson Scheid 

Heinrich Wilhelm Ernst was said to be the successor to violinmeister Niccolò Paganini. I know very little about Heinrich Wilhelm Ernst. I know even less about period violins and their gut strings. I do know that the tuning of Mr. Scheid’s strings was a little off at the beginning of his performance, but warmed up a little as he progressed. 

The first movement of the first work had a pleasant, lilting theme – spirited but not overly so, with a contrasting slower section – technically challenging (this was true of all of the pieces on the program). The second movement was, indeed, graceful and had a fun ending. The third was gentler yet still using fancy fingerwork—remember, this was solo violin, no backup support. The fourth was fancy and quite brisk, with some touches of dramatic flair. The fifth was graceful again, but not sweetly saccharine. The final movement was a recognizable tune (to me) given five variations. Yes, the tune was varied but it never got lost. 

The treatment of Erlkönig was a very dramatic rendition of the (familiar to me) Schubert song. Here, H.W. Ernst (and Mr. Scheid) managed to combine the two voices of the song into a solo violin piece. It was quite a tour-de-force. (By all means, seek out a version of Erlkönig on line.) 

The same can be said of Mr. Scheid’s treatment of Mozart’s duo. It was a bright and pleasant performance of Mozart’s repurposed music.

ConcertMeister