Album insights
Joseph Achron, one of the most creative virtuoso violinists and composers of the 20th century, was born in Lazdijai, formerly in Russia and now in Lithuania. He was the second and most gifted of four musical siblings. Achron began learning the violin at the age of five from his father, an amateur violinist and synagogue cantor. After moving to Warsaw in 1890, he received lessons from Isidor Lotto, a Polish virtuoso. At the age of seven, he composed his first piece, "Wiegenlied." Achron gave his first public concert at nine and embarked on his first concert tour of Russia in 1896, playing for the Tsar's brother and receiving a golden watch from the Tsar's mother. Starting in 1898, he studied at the St. Petersburg Academy under Leopold Auer, achieving the highest distinction. His early works showcased his stylistic debt to Scriabin and his ability to compose profound melodies.
Completing his studies, Achron moved to Berlin to begin a successful solo career, performing notable concerts including a Beethoven violin concerto with the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra. He composed extensively during this period, with pieces like Serenade op. 17 and Les sylphides op. 18 radiating a mesmerizing charm. His suites op. 21–23, composed between 1906 and 1907, represented a stylistic evolution, paying homage to his teachers Lotto and Auer. These suites blended late Romantic and modern elements, foreshadowing neoclassical styles found in Stravinsky and Ravel. Achron's works showcased disciplined studies, exemplified in the suite "bizarre" op. 41, displaying both irregular rhythms and intricate instrumental interactions.
The third suite, op. 23 "Quatre Tableaux fantastiques," marked Achron's further step towards impressionism. It featured a mournful opening movement, an allegretto with grace, a fantastical largo, and a dynamic rondo. Transitioning to the United States in 1930, Achron continued composing, crafting diverse works like "Golem" suite and captivating Hollywood audiences with his talent. Despite passing in 1943, his legacy endured, celebrated by contemporaries like Schönberg. Achron’s fusion of musical styles, from Russian romanticism to Jewish influences and modern atonal works, stands testament to his artistic brilliance and lasting impact on the 20th-century musical landscape.