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Chaplin’s Smile: Song Arrangements for Violin and Piano

Philippe Quint, Joshua bell, marta aznavoorian

Multiple Grammy Award-nominated violinist Philippe Quint makes his debut on Warner Classics with the release of his latest album Chaplin’s Smile. The album is a collection of 13 world premiere arrangements for violin and piano of songs composed by Charlie Chaplin for his most well-known films including City Lights, Limelight, Modern Times, The Kid, and more. To commemorate the 130th anniversary of Chaplin’s birth in 2019, Chaplin’s Smile features Philippe Quint with a special guest appearance on two tracks by Quint’s friend and frequent collaborator, violinist Joshua Bell. Joining them is pianist Marta Aznavoorian.

 

Album works

Eternally (The Terry Theme from Limelight)
Smile (Theme from Modern Times)
Weeping Willows
Love Song
Tango Bitterness
Now That It’s Ended
Mandolin Serenade
Falling Star
City Lights Suite
Beautiful, Wonderful Eyes
The Kid Fantasy
Tango Natasha
Crossing the Dance Floor

Label: Warner Classics
Release date: January 11, 2019

 

Album Reviews

“.Phillippe's violin work is beautifully agile and shows the dancingly Pop-accessible side of the era from which the music came. Marta is completely at ease and lucid in the context of this music and the two come across as artfully "artless" if that makes sense, just like Chaplin was in his many roles and films.”

classical modern music review

 

“Quint, Aznavoorian and Bell reveal the disarming simplicity of Chaplin’s graceful and charming music, which, as the violinist says, “reaches the deepest parts of our souls.”

limelight magazine

 

Love Song, composed in 1969, was written to his wife Oona.  The song was intended for a film project called The Freak, which was never made.  Aznavoorian and Quint take turns leading the charming melody through several iterations and key changes.  In 1929 Chaplin created Beautiful, Wonderful Eyes, intending it to be used as the theme for the Blind Girl in the 1931 classic film City Lights. Unfortunately, the song never made it into the film. The lively tango is marvellously performed by Aznavoorian on the keys, while the violin soars above.”

Bruce Mccollum, musicweb-international