Sonata No. 1 in F major, Op. 8
Sonata No. 2 in G major, Op. 13
Sonata No. 3 in C minor, Op. 45

Flute players have a great new reason to rejoice. They've just been gifted a Christmas present any flutist/flautist would cherish. A recording of Kaleb Chesnic's own transcriptions for flute of all three Sonatas for Violin and Piano by Edvard Grieg (1843-1907). The Sonata No. 3 in C minor, Op. 45 is the better known and most popular of all three, but most of the major labels have at some point or another released recordings of all the violin sonatas.

Now I'm sure we will all agree that because of its acoustical characteristics and physical properties, the flute will never match the violin when it comes to warmth of expression. The violin tone evokes warm colors whilst the flute projects cooler shades. But as Kaleb Chesnic amply demonstrates here, that doesn't mean that the flute can't bring its own expressive touches to the music. For example, lets take the beautiful slow movement of the Op. 45. The violin may bring vibrato into play, but it doesn't match the flute's purity of tone, and wistful expressive qualities. Its lower notes sound like smoky burnished amber whilst in its top register it pierces through bright and clear. Kaleb Chesnic gives the music all the emotive attention it calls for, and pianist Nathália Kato offers strong support with her own highly expressive touches. This is one of Grieg's most lyrical and touching moments, and these two musicians reach in within the score and deliver a heartfelt and passionate account.

American flutist Kaleb Chesnic has performed with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra, the Grand Junction Symphony Orchestra, and other ensembles around Colorado and the Western United States. He has received his Bachelor's degree from the Baldwin Wallace Conservatory of Music, and a Master of Music and a Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of Colorado Boulder. This is his debut recording ... may there be more.