Complete Violin Sonatas / Grumiaux, Jaccottet, Mermoud

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
As in his set of Bach's unaccompanied violin music, Arthur Grumiaux plays this music with effortless mastery and a fine sense of Baroque style. You can count on this great musician to avoid letting any mannerisms or inappropriate romanticism intrude on the music, leaving you with pure Bach played with great refinement. The programming here is comprehensive, including alternate movements and a questionable work or two. Christiane Jaccottet makes her presence felt as an equal , and the recording still sounds excellent. It's hard to find better performances at any price, so as a "twofer" this is a great bargain. --Leslie Gerber

Tracks:

Sonata In B Minor, BWV 1014: Adagio
Sonata In B Minor, BWV 1014: Allegro
Sonata In B Minor, BWV 1014: Andante
Sonata In B Minor, BWV 1014: Allegro
Sonata In A, BWV 1015: -
Sonata In A, BWV 1015: Allegro
Sonata In A, BWV 1015: Andante Un Poco
Sonata In A, BWV 1015: Presto
Sonata In E, BWV 1016: Adagio
Sonata In E, BWV 1016: Allegro
Sonata In E, BWV 1016: Adagio Ma Non Tanto
Sonata In E, BWV 1016: Allegro
Sonata In C Minor, BWV 1017: Largo
Sonata In C Minor, BWV 1017: Allegro
Sonata In C Minor, BWV 1017: Adagio
Sonata In C Minor, BWV 1017: Allegro
Sonata In F Minor, BWV 1018: -
Sonata In F Minor, BWV 1018: Allegro
Sonata In F Minor, BWV 1018: Adagio
Sonata In F Minor, BWV 1018: Vivace

Tracks:

Sonata In G, BWV 1019 : Allegro
Sonata In G, BWV 1019 : Largo
Sonata In G, BWV 1019 : Allegro
Sonata In G, BWV 1019 : Adagio
Sonata In G, BWV 1019 : Allegro
Alternative Movements, BWV 1019a : Cantabile, Ma Un Poco Adagio
Alternative Movements, BWV 1019a : Adagio
Sonata In G Minor, BWV 1020 : -
Sonata In G Minor, BWV 1020 : Adagio
Sonata In G Minor, BWV 1020 : Allegro
Sonata In G Minor, BWV 1021 : Adagio
Sonata In G Minor, BWV 1021 : Vivace
Sonata In G Minor, BWV 1021 : Largo
Sonata In G Minor, BWV 1021 : Presto
Sonata In F, BWV 1022 : -
Sonata In F, BWV 1022 : Allegro E Presto
Sonata In F, BWV 1022 : Adagio
Sonata In F, BWV 1022 : Presto
Sonata In E Minor, BWV 1023 : Adagio Ma Non Tanto
Sonata In E Minor, BWV 1023 : Allemande
Sonata In E Minor, BWV 1023 : Gigue

Amazon.com

As in his set of Bach's unaccompanied violin music, Arthur Grumiaux plays this music with effortless mastery and a fine sense of Baroque style. You can count on this great musician to avoid letting any mannerisms or inappropriate romanticism intrude on the music, leaving you with pure Bach played with great refinement. The programming here is comprehensive, including alternate movements and a questionable work or two. Christiane Jaccottet makes her presence felt as an equal , and the recording still sounds excellent. It's hard to find better performances at any price, so as a "twofer" this is a great bargain. --Leslie Gerber

Customer Reviews:

simple, not simplistic.......2007-02-09

The musical genius of Bach can be savored in any number of configurations. But you'd be hard pressed to find Bach speaking more exquisitely than via these compositions for violin and keyboard.

From here you cannot even see the outline of the Romantic Period. Rather, the pure, intertwined Baroque simplicity of two instruments instructs the soul that simple does not mean simplistic. Simple can be intricate, fugal, agile, or reflective.

Each of these modes is a format in which Bach and these two interpreters excel.

Then comes Philips with its fabulous 'Duo' series to make it all oh, so affordable.

Simple. Beautiful. Bach.

borderline.......2007-01-25

These CDs are a re-release of recordings made in 1978-80 by the great Arthur Grumiaux,i.e. they were made just prior to the time it became generally accepted that Baroque music should be played in a Baroque style. This makes it a bit difficult to write a review now, as a recording made in the style of the 60s, it is very good, as a " baroque" interpretation, well it isn't one. It is very easy to listen to, and I don't mind too much that there is lots of vibrato, but I don't like the way that it is played as violin sonatas with harpsichord accompaniment, as the main works, BWV 1041 to 1019, are realy trios with the harpsichord's right hand playing the second melody, and its left the bass line. So as a 1978 recording it give it 4. If you are looking for a recording in the baroque style try the version by van Dael & van Asperan on Naxos.

Superb Interpretations.......2001-07-25

I have known this recording for a long time, and it has lost none of its initial appeal. Throughout there is playing which is notable for its poise and effortless beauty. Even though I enjoy and often prefer original instrument performances, the Grumiaux/Jaccottet rendition of these sonatas is my favorite. This reissue on CD is a true bargain.

Purity in quality, sound and execution.......2001-04-18

Grumiaux is one of the greatest violinists from the Old School of Senofsky and others who emphasized not only clarity of technique but also passion of musical opinion. I can't say enough good things about this CD. Grumiaux captures traditional Bach with power and ownership. You can tell that each piece has his "Grumiaux thumbprint." Unliked his other recordings such as the piano trios, this CD has a strong, pure sound and sustains its clarity even when a car stereo is blasting on its highest volume. The purity touches all ages, from my toddler to advanced violin students to even carpoolers never exposed to Bach partitas. This CD also makes a great gift for young kids to adults, to your friends who are music experts. Another must-have that you shouldn't just burn from a friend.

Not Baroque style.......2001-04-05

I was disappointed to hear this CD when I received it, having acted on the highly complimentary reviews I'd read and the competitive pricing. However, the violinist does not use a Baroque style violin and the performance is not in the Baroque style. For example, a good deal of tremolo is used. I note that the original copyright dates are 1979 and 1981.

I suppose the quality of the performance is good, but I'm now so used to hearing Baroque style performances of these sorts of pieces on original style instruments that I can't get past the lack of these things.

I confess to having only listened to the first work. However, nothing indicates that the others would be any different.

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