Tuesday, November 2, 1999

THE ARTS
MUSIC REVIEW

Frenchmen, Not Alike, Yet in Tune
By Paul Griffiths

The French violinist Renaud Capuçon gave a confident debut recital at Carnegie Hall (Weill Recital Hall) on Friday evening, accompanied by his compatriot Frank Braley. [……]

Of the two French works on the program, Ravel’s Sonata in G was suavely done and Thierry Lancino’s “Cinq Caprices” were given an excellent first public performance. Mr. Lancino is probably better known for the compositions with electronics that he has produced at Pierre Boulez’s research institute I Paris, and it is a surprise to find him here so close to Ravel and Bartok. His “Caprices” have evocative headings: “Supple and luminous” for the first, where the violin sings in slow melody over moonlight and repeated notes in the piano, or “Light and malicious” for the striking pizzicato centerpiece. Their dark virtuoso poetry was well realized by both players. [……]