Various Composers - Couleurs des Amériques (Thomas Lefort; Pierre-Yves Hodique)

Information

1. Antonín Dvořák - Symphony No. 9 in E Minor, Op. 95: II. Largo (transc. Fritz Kreisler)
2. Scott Joplin - The Easy Winners (arr. Itzhak Perlman)
3. Manuel María Ponce - 2 Canciones Mexicanas: No. 2, Estrellita (transc. Jascha Heifetz)
4. George Gershwin - Porgy and Bess, Act II Scene 2: It Ain't Necessarily So (arr. Jascha Heifetz)
5. Astor Piazzolla - Tanti anni prima: Ave Maria
6. Arthur Benjamin - Jamaican Rumba (arr. William Primerose)
7. William Kroll - Banjo and Fiddle
8. Stephen Foster - Jeanie with the Light Brown Hair (arr. Jascha Heifetz)
9. Fritz Kreisler - Syncopation
10. Antonín Dvořák - Sonatina in G Major, B. 183: I. Allegro risoluto
11. Antonín Dvořák - Sonatina in G Major, B. 183: II. Larghetto
12. Antonín Dvořák - Sonatina in G Major, B. 183: III. Scherzo
13. Antonín Dvořák - Sonatina in G Major, B. 183: IV. Finale. Allegro
14. Maurice Ravel - Pièce en forme de habanera
15. Maurice Ravel - Violin Sonata No. 2 in G Major, M. 77: I. Allegretto
16. Maurice Ravel - Violin Sonata No. 2 in G Major, M. 77: II. Blues. Moderato
17. Maurice Ravel - Violin Sonata No. 2 in G Major, M. 77: III. Perpetuum mobile. Allegro

Thomas Lefort, violin

Pierre-Yves Hodique, piano

Date: 2026

Label: Mirare

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Featuring finely wrought arrangements and original compositions, this album offers a sweeping musical voyage across the diverse landscapes of the American continent. Carried by the luminous virtuosity of the violin and piano, the repertoire masterfully entwines Afro-American, European, Caribbean, Mexican, and North American influences. Through this rich tapestry of styles, the performance reveals the countless faces and cultural voices of the Americas. Ultimately, the collection serves as an evocative invitation to wander, bridging disparate geographical traditions into a singular, cohesive sonic journey that highlights the profound interconnectedness of New World musical heritage.

Born in Marseille in 1994, French violinist Thomas Lefort is celebrated for his flamboyant virtuosity and rare sensitivity, traits nurtured as a longtime disciple of the legendary Ivry Gitlis. After graduating with First Prize from the Paris Conservatoire under Roland Daugareil, Lefort pursued advanced studies with Salvatore Accardo and Renaud Capuçon. A laureate of prestigious competitions—including the 2022 Isaac Stern International Competition—he regularly performs with world-class orchestras at venues like the Philharmonie de Paris. Lefort is also the co-founder and artistic director of the Les Étoiles du Classique festival, teaches in Paris, and plays a Stephan Von Baehr Stradivarius copy.

A graduate of the Conservatoire de Paris, pianist Pierre-Yves Hodique is a highly decorated soloist, chamber musician, and vocal accompanist. He gained international prominence in 2011 as the Best Piano Accompanist at Moscow's International Tchaikovsky Competition and won the 2013 Nadia and Lili Boulanger Lied Prize alongside baritone Samuel Hasselhorn. Hodique regularly performs at premier global venues, including the Berlin Philharmonie and London's Wigmore Hall, collaborating with notable artists like cellist Edgar Moreau. An assistant professor at the Paris Conservatoire, his acclaimed discography includes award-winning chamber collaborations and his November 2023 debut solo album, Clairs de lune.

High Resolution 24-bit / 48 kHz