Yossif Ivanov is a very gifted young violin player from Belgium with Bulgarian roots, who, at the age of 18, came in second at the Queen Elisabeth Competition in 2005. As this is one of the world's most prestigious contests for violin and piano, with past winners including David Oistrach, Vladimir Ashkenazy and Vadim Repin, his second place at such a young age was heralded as a very special achievement indeed.Actually, Ivanov was even considered by many to be the moral winner of the contest, showing incredible maturity and intelligence in the final but having to cope with a number of mistakes by the conductor, and with the pyrotechnics and greater fame of the eventual winner, Sergey Khatchatryan.This CD is Yossif Ivanov's first recording, and it immediately received very high praise as well, being awarded a Diapason d`Or of the year 2006. All this to say that this kid has already built quite a reputation for himself in continental Europe. And if there is any justice, the rest of the world will follow.The technical and intellectual mastery he displays in these sonatas is really quite special. It is also nice that he recorded a 19th century piece, a 20th century piece and a 21st century piece, that all fit together wonderfully. The sweeping, romantic yet in some ways quite modern Franck sonata in A major is followed by the technically demanding, nervous 5th and 6th Ysaye sonatas and ends with a very fitting 21st century sonata, clearly inspired by the romantic examples, that was composed especially for Ivanov. All in all, this CD is a revelation of talent and audacity and may just mark the beginning of a grandiose career.