Authentic Mozart and Bach on a new label - Prelude Classics

​First a disclaimer: I was sent these 2 CDs gratis from the producer, Michal Bryla, in consideration for a review. 
 
He explains:
“I think it's important to mention that I do all the projects myself, from recording, editing and mastering to the release itself. I have control over the entire production process, so the releases are something special for me.”
 
And one can instantly detect the pride he fosters in them from the outstanding production qualities they exude.

Featured on both CDs is Mr. Bryla’s wife, violinist Aleksandra Bryla, who is also the 2nd violinist in the Meccore String Quartet. And keeping it in the family, the harpsichordist on the Bach album is Bryla’s mother, Maria Banaszkiewicz-Bryla.
 
This recording of 4 Mozart Violin Sonatas utilizes a Fortepiano, of which I admit to not being an expert or an admirer. And I have even less experience with (or love for) the Bach Sonatas with harpsichord. Therefore, my comments about these CDs will be entirely subjective and based upon personal observations. They are so visually enticing and of such obviously high quality, I approached them with an open mind and an eagerness to learn something new. Did I enjoy listening to them? Absolutely. Did they make me love the fortepiano (or Bach) more than I did previously? I’m afraid not. However, I have gained a new appreciation for both (especially Bach). 
 
Beginning with the Mozart, this is an incredibly impressive hardback (cardboard) CD package - including a substantial booklet complete with extensive text and numerous pictures of the performers, and a gold CD recorded in 192 kHz/24bit digital encoding/mastering. All produced, engineered, edited and mastered by Michal Bryla himself. Very impressive indeed! (And don’t forget he also plays viola with the Meccore Quartet.) Ms. Bryla plays Krzysztof Krupa’s 2012 copy of a 1675 Ruggieri violin, and Ms. Wozniak plays Paul McNulty’s reproduction of an 1805 Walter&Sohn fortepiano.
 
Listening to the music, I found myself having to adjust to the compact, rather deadpan sound of the fortepiano compared to a modern concert grand pianoforte I am accustomed to hearing. But after a while, I didn’t mind it, especially as the music-making was so engaging. Only in the very first track, the Allegro vivace of KV 296 (C Major) was there any cause for concern musically, where Wozniak is a bit mannered in the 2nd half of the opening phrase and each time it occurs thereafter. She applies a slight tenuto to the trills followed by some odd hesitations in the ensuing scalic figures, which sound a bit awkward. It's hardly worth mentioning, except that it becomes so pronounced in the recapitulation (5 minutes in) I actually wondered if a key on her instrument was sticking. Fortunately, this affectation occurs only occasionally and Ms. Bryla never mimics it in the violin line.  

Overall, I was pleased with the music-making throughout. Their playing is lively, joyous and alert, and tempos are spirited, increasing musical involvement. I particularly enjoyed Ms. Bryla’s violin playing, which is at all times appropriately light and sweet, with just enough natural warmth and judicious use of vibrato to prevent it from sounding coldly “authentic”. There is never the slightest hint of the steely iciness heard so often in period performance style and her tone has a pleasant fullness of tone without being at all “rich”.

I really enjoyed their reading of the G major (KV 379), especially the Allegro which is exhilarating at this speed, with very impressive piano playing. I was taken aback at how thrilling it is while at the same time sounding not at all hectic or breathless. As a matter of fact, there is a gravitas to their approach here, and in the E minor (KV 304) which follows, which sounds positively Beethovian! I wasn't expecting this kind of vigorous weight to Mozart. 
 
The recorded sound is very good. Reverberation is perfectly judged - just enough to be warm, but never muddy. Ultimately there could be just a bit more spaciousness to the acoustic, however the musicians are palpably present within an intimate setting, and the violin is well focused out in front. 

After immersing myself into this recording, I was interested in going back to one of my favorite recordings of these marvelous Sonatas for comparison. I have gained endless enjoyment from the early '90s set played by Isaac Stern and Yefim Bronfman on SONY. I was pleased to hear Stern's lightness of tone so closely matched that of Bryla's. However, I was instantly gratified with the brighter, more resonant sound of a modern Steinway and was surprised at how it actually sounded lighter and more lively than the fortepiano does. Their faster tempos in Allegros and SONY's delightful, airy acoustic helped in this regard as well. 
 
Listening next to the Bach, the violin is even more forwardly placed (but not unnaturally so) and the harpsichord is afforded a more appealing, melodious sonority than the fortepiano in the Mozart, which I found very attractive. As I mentioned before, Bach is not really my thing, but I found myself enjoying this music despite that, due in large part to the excellence of the playing by both musicians. There is an endearing musicality to their playing which drew me in. In particular, there is a glorious singing quality to the violin which I simply loved. Yet she keeps it simple - clean and light - but expressive. And the harpsichord playing is crisp, musical and utterly natural. Although I couldn’t listen to the entire CD in one sitting, I didn’t grow tired of it, and actually looked forward to hearing the second half on another day.  

While this is not a "gold CD" as is the Mozart, and it comes in a more conventional 3-way folded cardboard enclosure, the entire production is excellent - as is the recorded sound. Incidentally, these artists have already recorded the first three Bach Violin Sonatas for the Dux label in 2018, which would explain why they started (or continued) with #4 - 6 here for Prelude Classics. 

These recordings constitute an auspicious launch of a new record label. They are currently available as digital downloads or on CD directly from PreludeClassics.com.