Reviews
- Andante (September 2000)
Linda Brava, a sultry, blond Finnish actor and model, was a child prodigy on the violin, and is still an amazingly proficient performer. The high point of her fine recital disc with pianist John Lenehan is a strong reading of Grieg's Sonata no.3, in C Minor.
- The Gramophone (December 1999)
A promising début recital.
This is a delightful recital, lightweight to be sure, but played with such warmth, and an eloquent simplicity of line, that the ear is instantly beguiled. The opening Elgar Salut d'amour is pleasing enough but the following Faure Berceuse is utterly winning, and the famous 'Meditation' from Massenet's Thaïs soars aloft without being in the least sentimentalized.
The central performance of the Grieg Sonata is strong, passionate and most compelling. The central Allegretto espressivo alla Romanza (pure mountain-stream Grieg) is exquisitely played, and how beautifully the excellent pianist, John Lenehan, prepares the way for his soloist's warm-hearted entry. The finale has a splendidly gutsy, folksy impetus and plenty of light and shade. Both artists are very well recorded and the balance is excellent.
The playing itself is nicely polished as well as musically sensitive. A welcome collection.
- The Straits Times (November 1999)
Brava's is both a musically satisfying and technically commendable performance.
- Evening Standard (November 1999)
Her best playing comes in the three short pieces by her countryman Sibelius: the skittish Rondino extracts her quickest fingerwork, the Humoreske Op.87 No.1 wins her most tortured expression and the Romance Op.78 No.2 sings under her confident touch.
- Classic FM Magazine (October 1999)
The Finnish fiddler with a model-girl looks takes a bow with her debut classical album.
Linda plays with a pleasant, honeyed tone - making the most of her golden-voiced 1781 Galliano violin - and an unaffected grace that will surely win her many friends.
Read more about this topic: Linda Brava (album)
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