Violin and Piano

Violin and Piano

The violin and piano repertoire has been a primary focus for Tomas Cotik, and his recordings have consistently received high praise from renowned publications such as Fanfare, American Record Guide, Downbeat, and MusicWeb International.

In 2012, Cotik released the first volume of the complete works of Franz Schubert for violin and piano, in collaboration with pianist Tao Lin, on Centaur Records. The album garnered widespread acclaim from the international press, with Fanfare Magazine even favorably comparing it to the classic recording by Rachmaninoff and Kreisler. The album’s excellence led to its nomination as “Recording of the Year” in 2013 by MusicWeb International and nationwide broadcast coverage through American Public Media.

In 2013, NAXOS released “Tango Nuevo,” an album featuring music by Astor Piazzolla for violin and piano. Critics hailed it as one of the finest Piazzolla albums, with reviewers describing it as “Naxos’s best Piazzolla recordings” and recognizing its exceptional and unmatched performance. Downbeat Magazine specifically praised the album, noting that while Piazzolla’s music can be interpreted differently, it would be difficult to find a better rendition.

Continuing his recording journey, Cotik released the second installment of the Schubert recording project on Centaur Records in 2015, followed by the complete set of 16 Sonatas for violin and piano by Mozart and a second all-Piazzolla Naxos album in 2018. These subsequent recordings were met with critical acclaim.

Repertoire

Sonatas

  • Ludwig van Beethoven: Complete Violin and Piano Sonatas
  • Johannes Brahms: Complete Violin and Piano Sonatas
  • J. S. Bach: Complete Sonatas for Violin and Harpsichord
  • Antonín Dvořák: Sonatina, Op. 100; Sonata for Violin and Piano, Op. 57
  • Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Complete Sonatas
  • Claude Debussy: Sonata for Violin and Piano
  • César Franck: Sonata for Violin and Piano in A major
  • Francis Poulenc: Sonata for Violin and Piano, Op. 119
  • Robert Schumann: Complete Violin and Piano Sonatas
  • Sergei Prokofiev: Sonata for Violin and Piano in D major, Op. 94a

Small Pieces

  • Isaac Albéniz (arr. Jascha Heifetz): Sevilla (from Suite Española, Op. 47)
  • Isaac Albéniz (arr. Fritz Kreisler): Malagueña (from España, Op. 165); Tango (from España, Op. 165 No. 2)
  • Béla Bartók: Romanian Folk Dances
  • Max Bruch: Kol Nidrei
  • Antonín Dvořák: Romance, Op. 11; Humoresque (arr. Gustav Saenger)
  • Manuel de Falla: Selections from 7 Canciones Populares Españolas; Danza Española
  • Carlos Gardel (arr. John Williams): Por una Cabeza
  • George Gershwin (arr. Jascha Heifetz): Three Preludes; It Ain’t Necessarily So
  • Enrique Granados (arr. Fritz Kreisler): Spanish Dance
  • Aram Khachaturian: Sabre Dance
  • Fritz Kreisler: Liebesleid; Schön Rosmarin
  • Jules Massenet: Meditation (from Thaïs)
  • Olivier Messiaen: Theme and Variations
  • Joaquín Nin (arr. Paul Kochanski): Granadina (from Chants d’Espagne)
  • Pablo de Sarasate:
    • Caprice Basque, Op. 24
    • Zigeunerweisen, Op. 20
    • Selections from Spanish Dances:
      • Malagueña (Op. 21 No. 1)
      • Habanera (Op. 21 No. 2)
      • Romanza Andaluza (Op. 22 No. 1)
      • Jota Navarra (Op. 22 No. 2)
      • Playera (Op. 23 No. 1)
      • Zapateado (Op. 23 No. 2)
      • Vito (Op. 26 No. 7)
      • Habanera (Op. 26 No. 8)
  • Franz Schubert:
    • Impromptu, Op. 90 No. 3 (arr. Jascha Heifetz)
  • Clara Schumann: Romances
  • Robert Schumann: Romances
  • Camille Saint-Saëns: Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso, Op. 28
  • Maurice Ravel: Tzigane
  • Giuseppe Tartini: Variations on a Theme by Corelli
  • Chopin:
    • Nocturne, Op. 27 No. 1
    • Nocturne, Op. 55 No. 2 (arr. Jascha Heifetz)
    • Nocturne, Op. 72 (arr. Leopold Auer)
    • Nocturne in C-sharp minor (arr. Nathan Milstein)
  • John Williams: Schindler’s List; Fiddler on the Roof
  • Grigoraș Dinicu: Hora Staccato
  • Jeno Vecsey: Valse Triste
  • Henryk Wieniawski: Scherzo-Tarantelle, Op. 16
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