Tartini: The Devil's Sonata / Andrew Manze

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com's Best of 1998
Violinist Andrew Manze did something truly breathtaking in 1998--he transformed the way we hear Giuseppe Tartini's The Devil's Sonata by playing it solo, without accompaniment. And we'll never hear it the same way again. It's a riveting performance, filled with as much improvisation as many jazz compositions, and yet it remains thoroughly faithful to Tartini's vision (Manze was inspired to play the work solo by the composer's own correspondence). Hands down, one of the best Baroque performances ever. --Jason Verlinde

Amazon.com essential recording
This is one of the craziest classical CDs you will ever hear, but the madness is inspired. Andrew Manze, following a suggestion in one of Tartini's letters, gets rid of the published accompaniment and plays these pieces on the solo violin. In the other three works he takes plenty of liberties, but in the famous Devil's Trill Sonata he embellishes, improvises, departs from the text and comes back again. The verbal description sounds like my idea of a nightmare, but the execution is so... read more

Tartini: The Devil's Sonata / Andrew Manze

Tracks:

The Devil's Sonata: La Sonata del Diavolo in G Minor - Largo
The Devil's Sonata: La Sonata del Diavolo in G Minor - Allegro
The Devil's Sonata: La Sonata del Diavolo in G Minor - Andante, Allegro, Adagio
The Devil's Sonata: L'arte del Arco - Theme & variation 1
The Devil's Sonata: L'arte del Arco - Variations 2 & 4
The Devil's Sonata: L'arte del Arco - Variations 9, 15, & 12
The Devil's Sonata: L'arte del Arco - Variatios 10 & 20
The Devil's Sonata: L'arte del Arco - Variation 29
The Devil's Sonata: L'arte del Arco - Variation 30
The Devil's Sonata: L'arte del Arco - Variation 33
The Devil's Sonata: L'arte del Arco - Variation 34
The Devil's Sonata: L'arte del Arco - Variation 23
The Devil's Sonata: L'arte del Arco - Variation 38
The Devil's Sonata: Sonata in A minor - Cantabile
The Devil's Sonata: Sonata in A minor - Allegro
The Devil's Sonata: Sonata in A minor - Andante
The Devil's Sonata: Sonata in A minor - Giga
The Devil's Sonata: Sonata in A minor - Aria (with variations)
The Devil's Sonata: Sonata in A minor - Variation 1
The Devil's Sonata: Sonata in A minor - Variation 2
The Devil's Sonata: Sonata in A minor - Variation 3
The Devil's Sonata: Sonata in A minor - Variation 4
The Devil's Sonata: Sonata in A minor - Variation 5
The Devil's Sonata: Pastorale for violin in scordatura - Grave
The Devil's Sonata: Pastorale for violin in scordatura - Allegro
The Devil's Sonata: Pastorale for violin in scordatura - Largo, Presto, Andante

Amazon.com's Best of 1998

Violinist Andrew Manze did something truly breathtaking in 1998--he transformed the way we hear Giuseppe Tartini's The Devil's Sonata by playing it solo, without accompaniment. And we'll never hear it the same way again. It's a riveting performance, filled with as much improvisation as many jazz compositions, and yet it remains thoroughly faithful to Tartini's vision (Manze was inspired to play the work solo by the composer's own correspondence). Hands down, one of the best Baroque performances ever. --Jason Verlinde

Amazon.com essential recording

This is one of the craziest classical CDs you will ever hear, but the madness is inspired. Andrew Manze, following a suggestion in one of Tartini's letters, gets rid of the published accompaniment and plays these pieces on the solo violin. In the other three works he takes plenty of liberties, but in the famous Devil's Trill Sonata he embellishes, improvises, departs from the text and comes back again. The verbal description sounds like my idea of a nightmare, but the execution is so inspired that this is one of the most compelling Baroque performances ever. Whether it is "authentic" or not, I have no idea, and Manze probably doesn't either. But this is a recording you will remember. --Leslie Gerber

Customer Reviews:

Astounding recording, worthy of consideration!.......2006-02-02

I picked this disc up several years ago, and I frequently return to it whenever I crave a fine example of baroque violin. The naysayers will say what they will about Manze's departure from a literal interpretation of the music, while his advocates point out that this is very much in the style of baroque performers as historians now understand it.

In either case, Manze proves that this music is still as alive and relevant as it was in Tartini's day. The perfomance is technically above reproach. The only complaint I can think of, and I'm nitpicking here, is that there is just a bit too much reverb for my liking. I prefer a much more straightforward recording of solo violin work, such as in the Michael Rabin or Itzhak Perlman recordings of Paganini's 24 Caprices.

This disc was well worth the $20 I paid for it.

One of the Greatest Baroque Players Today.......2005-10-06

Andrew Manze utterly captures the essence of Baroque playing in this recording. At the heart of Baroque tradition is embellishment and intricate decoration, beautifully exmplified in this work. The quality of Manze's playing is heard in his masterful control of tone and dynamic. As a violinist, I am awed by his ability and the passion that he exudes. In particular his dynamic range and control of vibrato makes this work fascinating to listen to. If you wish to hear a recording that best exemplifies the music of the Baroque period as it was intended to be played, this recording is for you.

I think this is actually the devil playing!.......2005-03-19

Manze's interpretation of the Devil's Trill Sonata is absolutely breathtaking. Other than the pure amazing virtuosity, the most brilliant part of Manze's rendition is that despite the extreme amount of liberty he takes with the piece, it still remains true to the style and feel of the original.

Tartini said that he heard the Sonata played by the Devil in a dream, but was unable to fully capture the way it sounded when he woke and composed it. When I hear Manze's version, I can't imagine the piece could have been any better in Tartini's original dream than it is on this CD.

If you are a purist this rendition might not interest you from a historical perspective. However, as a music lover, I can't imagine anyone who wouldn't like this amazing CD. Enjoy!

Hauntingly Beautiful.......2004-11-13

Having listened to several performances of Tartini's the Devil's Sonata this is simply gorgeous. Andrew Manze is breathtaking and amazing, to think it is only played by one man yet it seems like a full orchestra. The technique of the Devil's Sonata is estounding and truelly unigue and masterful, but with Manze it was made Heavenly. I was taken away by this CD and I think anyone with a true appreciation for beauty will be. I like to think Tartini would be proud of this performance.

Angela.

The Devil's Sonata as it Should be Played!.......2004-11-06

If I wish to demonstrate to someone why the 'Baroque Violin' is special, this is the album I play to them. There is no 'modern' rendering that approaches it. The dynamic range, intimacy and passion inherent in this CD are incomparable. Though I am sure the adherents of Josh Bell, Sarah Chang and Vanessa Mae would hoot me down, I will assert that in musicianship and technical ability Manze is the finest violinist living. Period.

In over 20 years of pursuing the 'ideal' solo violin recording this would be my choice.

Average customer rating:

A rich introduction to a top Baroque specialist
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ASIN: B00004UFDH
Release Date: 2000-08-15

Tracks:

The Devils Sonata And Other Works:'La Sonata Del Diavolo' In G Minor: III Andante-Largo-Adagio
Complete Violin Sonatas: Op. III, No. 3, 'La Melana'
Concert For The Prince Of Poland: Violin Concerto In E-Flat Major 'La Tempesta Di Mare', Op. VIII, No. 5, RV 253: I. Presto
Concert For The Prince Of Poland: Violin Concerto In E-Flat Major 'La Tempesta Di Mare', Op. VIII, No. 5, RV 253: II. Largo
Concert For The Prince Of Poland: Violin Concerto In E-Flat Major 'La Tempesta Di Mare', Op. VIII, No. 5, RV 253: III. Presto
Sonatas: Sonata Over Toccata V, Op. IV 'Detta La Laura Rilucente'
Concerti Grossi, Op. 6: ' Twelve Grand Concertos In Seven Parts': Concerto VI In G Minor, HWV 3624: III. Musette
Concerti Grossi, Op. 6: ' Twelve Grand Concertos In Seven Parts': Concerto VI In G Minor, HWV 3624: IV. Allegro
Violin Sonatas:Sonate Sixieme In B Minor: III. Gracieusement
Violin Sonatas:Sonate Sixieme In B Minor: IV. Viste
Violin Sonatas: Toccata And Fugue In A Minor: Toccata and Fugue In A Minor For Unaccompanied Violin, Reconstructed By A. M. From The Organ Work BWV 565 In Minor
Sonata In E Major: I. Adagio
Twelve Fantasias For Violin Solo/Gulliver Suite For Two Violins: Intrada
Twelve Fantasias For Violin Solo/Gulliver Suite For Two Violins: Lilliputsche Chaconne
Curiose & Moderne Inventioni: Sinfonia Sesto Tuono
Curiose & Moderne Inventioni: Balletto Quarto Allemano
Curiose & Moderne Inventioni: Sinfonia Terzo Tuono
Sonata In A Major, HWV 361: III. Adagio
Sonata In A Major, HWV 361: IV. Allegro
Concerto XII In D Minor 'Follia': Theme + Variations 1-8
Concerto XII In D Minor 'Follia': Variations 9-14
Concerto XII In D Minor 'Follia': Variations 15-24

Amazon.com

This is a compendium of pieces drawn from Andrew Manze's recordings past, present, and projected. It includes single movements, groups of movements, and complete works, some unaccompanied, some with one or two supporting instruments, some with the ensemble Romanesca, some with the Academy of Ancient Music, of which Manze is co-director and concertmaster. The selections range from intimate chamber music to brilliant bravura pieces and are well designed to whet the listener's appetite to hear the complete records. They also display Manze's versatility, virtuosity, improvisatory imagination, expressiveness, and communicative power, which have propelled him to the top rank of Baroque violinists. He succeeds in combining rigorous scholarship with adventurous spontaneity, passionate involvement and a sense of humor--all of which are also in evidence in his erudite but entertaining program notes.

Naturally, the most substantial pieces on the program tend to be especially impressive. Vivaldi's Concerto "La tempesta di Mare" is truly tempestuous, with extraordinarily daring harmonies and modulations. Manze's transcription and performance of a famous Bach Toccata and Fugue for organ creates the amazing illusion of an original unaccompanied violin composition. And, taken from Manze's recording with the Academy of Ancient Music, "La Follia," one of 12 Corelli Sonatas orchestrated by Geminiani as Concerti Grossi, is enormously exciting. Also noteworthy are selections by Uccellini and Marini performed with Romanesca, some movements from Bach and Handel sonatas, and part of Tartini's "La Sonata del Diavolo", better known as the "Devil's Trill Sonata," played unaccompanied with diabolical freedom and virtuosity. --Edith Eisler

Customer Reviews:

A rich introduction to a top Baroque specialist.......2005-11-15

Andrew Manze is a Cambridge-educated, early-music scholar, an internationally-famous period violinist, an accomplished chamber musician and director of the prestigious Academy of Ancient Music. His discography is vast - specializing in the early to late Baroque and with a strong affinity to the more unusual, 'quirky' Baroque sonatas such as those by Tartini, Schmelzer and Biber - recordings made with fellow Baroque specialists, John Toll and Nigel North (AKA 'Romanesca').

This sampler CD is a nice compilation of Manze's music - from solo violin to full orchestral music - featuring works from more well-known composers (Telemann, Bach, Handel, Vivaldi) to the more obscure Italian violin virtuoso composers (Tartini, Uccellini, Pandolfi, Geminiani, Marini). The selections spotlight his highly rhythmic, academic-rich style and techniques which have won accolades from the international music press like Gramophone, Penguin Guide, ClassicsToday and BBC Music. Highlights are the concerti grossi from Geminiani, Vivaldi and Handel and the sonatas from Handel and Telemann. One truly delightful work is the Handel Violin Sonata in which Manze illicits a most bouyant, spontaneous manner that is most uplifting. Less inspiring to me were the Bach and Pandolfi sonatas as were the somewhat mundane liner notes written by Manze - although they are not without some fascinating tidbits. But so much more could have been said about Manze, his unique style and his career in the notes by a third party to give a more colorful "portrait" of this artist.

If you are new to Manze's music, this CD is a great place to start to explore his broad discography and his compelling style and will help you sort out which composers/recordings you will most gravitate towards - or equally important ... the ones you don't. While varied and compelling, this one CD is only a smittering of Manze's recordings - unfortunately absent are representation works of his powerful readings of the unusual, free-form and often-meditative sonatas of the German-Catholic composers, Biber and Schmelzer (some of Manze's best recordings in my opinion). ClassicsToday gave this CD a perfect 10/10 if that helpf make your decision easier (the sound quality is consistentyly very vivid too). Harmonia Mundi offers this sampler CD at a "teaser" price (about half price) as a way to introduce listeners to great artists - with the hope of course that you will buy a few of the CD's represented here (at full price) that most catch your interest. Either way it is a win for the classical listener exploring the less-familiar Baroque violin repertoire that Manze specializes in dusting off from the shelves and performing most strikingly.

Great Marketing Idea.......2000-08-29

I had heard of Andrew Manze but never heard him play. This CD is a very inexpensive introduction to an incredible Baroque violinist. He opens your ears to a completely different level of performance in this type of music. Highly recommended as an introduction, but be warned that you will soon be purchasing many more of his CDs.

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