Classical superstar violinist Joshua Bell and pianist Jeremy Denk join WQXR’s Elliott Forrest in the WQXR studios to preview their new recording, French Impressions (Sony Classical).  Slated for release on January 10, 2012, the album is a debut of sorts: it is Bell’s first sonata recording since he signed with Sony Classical in 1996, as well as his first album with Denk, Bell’s longtime collaborator and a rising star in his own right.

In a wide-ranging and lively conversation, Joshua and Jeremy talk about their musical journeys, the problem they have with program notes, and the projects each is pursuing as a soloist.  Bell and Denk play the Cesar Franck Sonata in A Major for Violin and Piano and the famous “blues” movement from Maurice Ravel’s Violin Sonata.