Bartók: Violin Sonatas

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Bartók's Violin Sonatas are among the greatest and most challenging of his works. Tetzlaff and Andsnes, an all-star collaboration, approach the music as though they were aware that these pieces are tough nuts for many listeners. They emphasize the lyrical aspects of the music and play as though they were attempting to make the music more accessible. This is not Bartók lite. The music still has plenty of bite and ferociousness, and the instrumental execution throughout (including Tetzlaff's playing of the Solo Sonata) is truly formidable. But the disc could provide an entry to a difficult area of Bartók's music for new listeners. Those looking for fiercer performances will seek out the classic Oistrakh-Richter version of the Sonata No. 1 and, if you can put up with the limited sound, Szigeti-Bartók for No. 2. The Naxos CD by Hungarians György Pauk and Jenö Jandó is also strikingly powerful and would make a good supplement to the Virgin Classics issue for those who believe that one version of a musical masterpiece is never enough. --Leslie Gerber

Tracks:

Allegro Appassionato
Adagio
Allegro
Molto Moderato
Allegretto
Tempo De Ciaccona
Fuga: Risoluto, Non Troppo Vivace
Melodia: Adagio
Presto

Amazon.com

Bartók's Violin Sonatas are among the greatest and most challenging of his works. Tetzlaff and Andsnes, an all-star collaboration, approach the music as though they were aware that these pieces are tough nuts for many listeners. They emphasize the lyrical aspects of the music and play as though they were attempting to make the music more accessible. This is not Bartók lite. The music still has plenty of bite and ferociousness, and the instrumental execution throughout (including Tetzlaff's playing of the Solo Sonata) is truly formidable. But the disc could provide an entry to a difficult area of Bartók's music for new listeners. Those looking for fiercer performances will seek out the classic Oistrakh-Richter version of the Sonata No. 1 and, if you can put up with the limited sound, Szigeti-Bartók for No. 2. The Naxos CD by Hungarians György Pauk and Jenö Jandó is also strikingly powerful and would make a good supplement to the Virgin Classics issue for those who believe that one version of a musical masterpiece is never enough. --Leslie Gerber

Customer Reviews:

Hard to imagine Bartók served better .......2007-06-08

Though he was a pianist by training, Bela Bartók produced a number of important chamber works featuring the violin. This recording by Christian Tetzlaff and Leif Ove Andsnes features three of the most formidable, the two sonatas for violin and piano and the sonata for violin alone. The works for violin and piano date from the early 1920s, when the composer was producing some of his knottiest, most experimental work. They are highly contrasted in mood and form, the Sonata No. 1 being a full-scale cycle of three extended movements, the first passionate and rhapsodic, the second slow and lyrical, and the third an energetic finale in the composer's characteristic "barbaric" mode. The Sonata No. 2 is more compact and restrained, its one continuous movement falling into two distinct sections roughly corresponding to the traditional slow-fast dance pairing used by Liszt and by Bartók himself. Both Sonatas use the most advanced harmonic language Bartók allowed himself; although the composer insisted they were tonal and even assigned them key centers, their acerbic dissonances and fragmentary, widely ranging motivic content make them difficult listening even today. The later Sonata for Solo Violin (1944) is no less challenging for both performer and listener, though its four movements are recognizably more "classical" in character and form.

Tetzlaff's and Andsnes' performances of these works are remarkable by any standard--impeccably accurate and rhythmically secure no matter how formidable the technical difficulties, they also convey with confidence the extreme contrasts of mood and emotion inherent in the music. Bartók's deep expressiveness, often difficult to discern behind the intellect, is thus made clear. It is difficult to imagine this music being served any better than by these two artists. With recorded sound of high quality, this CD must rank as a top choice for these cornerstones of the twentieth-century chamber music repertory.

infectious music making.......2005-06-07

Andsnes and Tetzlaff complement each other wonderfully here. Andsnes plays very lyrically, Tetzlaff adds just the right amount of zesty eastern European folk flavor. These are essential pieces of 20th century music, highly enjoyable. I heard A & T play the Shostakovich sonata at Carnegie Hall and happily count this among my concert highlights of the past year.

Average customer rating:

excellent overview of contemporaneous classic music
For the price you can't lose

Discover Music of the 20th Century

Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Prelude A L'Apres-Midi D'un Faune - Alexander Rahbari
Walzer - Peter Hill
I. Andante-Scherzo - Rebecca Hirsch
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Lebhaft Und Zart Bewegt - Ulster Orchestra
Sehr Langsam Und Ausserst Zart - Ulster Orchestra
Fliessend, Ausserst Zart - Ulster Orchestra
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First Tableau: The Shrove-Tide Fair - Philharmonia Orchestra
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III. Moderato Pesante - Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
Hymn To St. Cecilia - Choir Of St. John's College, Cambridge
IV. Allegretto - Ondrej Lenard
Introduzione: Andante Non Troppo-Allegro Vivace - Alexander Rahbari

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Romance - Czecho-Slovak State Philharmonic Orchestra (Kosice)
II. Allegro - Ladislav Slovak
III. Allegro Agitato - Stephen Gunzenhauser
Main Theme From Schindler's List - Paul Bateman
The Unanswered Question - Northern Sinfonia
Second Electonic Interpolation (Conclusion) - Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra
Third Electronic Interpolation (Beginning) - Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra
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Vision Of The Hunt I - Philharmonia Orchestra
Voice For Solo Flute - Robert Aitken

Customer Reviews:

excellent overview of contemporaneous classic music.......2007-03-22

excellent overview of contemporaneous classic music.

Should be continued, plenty more 20th-century composers to be discovered.

For the price you can't lose.......2007-02-21

This 2 cd set consists of, as the title indicates, various 20c pieces or movements from the Naxos catalog. Sound quality is uniformly high, although for some such as Stockhausen's it's not clear if that's good or bad. What is excellent is the variety of the collection--some familiar (Debussy), others not, some pretty, others intentionally weird. Few will find every piece to his or her taste, but many listeners who do not spend much time on 20c music will find something to like. Overall, a great introduction to a period of much off-putting, yes, but also much compelling music.

Beethoven, Schumann, Brahms: Violin Sonatas

Average customer rating:

Kremer + Beethoven = YUM
excellent value and performances

Beethoven, Schumann, Brahms: Violin Sonatas

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0000B09Z3
Release Date: 2004-03-09

Customer Reviews:

Kremer + Beethoven = YUM.......2007-06-21

I sort of ignored this collection after I bought it because of how much music there is to contend with, but I recently re-discovered these discs and WOW. I really love hearing Kremer play Beethoven. His style compliments this music in some surprising and profound ways.

excellent value and performances.......2005-02-18

Like the other entries in DG's "Collector's Editions", the eight discs come in envelopes and a compact box with a liner note booklet. This box includes all of the Beethoven violin sonatas (3 full discs) Kremer recorded in the late eighties and early nineties. The performances are higly regarded (see Amazon reviews under the individual discs, Penguin and Grammaphon reviews very positive as well). In addition, you get higly regarded recrodings of sonatas by Schumann and Brahms. The Prokofiev is the only disc of the eight that falls flat. The music does not require Kremer's pyrotechnics and would benefit from a subtler interpretation. Recording quality is first rate throughout. All in all, an excellent repackaging and value!

Average customer rating:

Bartók: Sonatas for Violin & Piano

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000002C5T
Release Date: 1997-04-01

Tracks:

Sonata No.1 For Violin And Piano: Allegro appassionato
Sonata No.1 For Violin And Piano: Adagio
Sonata No.1 For Violin And Piano: Allegro molto
Sonata No.1 For Violin And Piano: Molto moderato
Sonata No.1 For Violin And Piano: Allegretto

Average customer rating:

A "must have" for all bassists
A "must have" for all bassists

Double Bass Portraits

Manufacturer: Klavier
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000031VTI
Release Date: 1999-11-23

Tracks:

Boccherini: Sonata in A
Boccherini: Sonata in A
Bloch: Meditation Hebraique
Schumann: FantasiestOp. 73
Bartok: Romanian Dances, Sz. 56
Bartok: Romanian Dances, Sz. 56
Bartok: Romanian Dances, Sz. 56
Bartok: Romanian Dances, Sz. 56
Bartok: Romanian Dances, Sz. 56
Brahms: Sonatensatz, Op. Posth.
Haydn: Divertimento in D (arr. Piatiagorsky)
Haydn: Divertimento in D (arr. Piatiagorsky)
Haydn: Divertimento in D (arr. Piatiagorsky)
Faure: Elegie, Op. 24
Monti: Czardas

Customer Reviews:

A "must have" for all bassists.......2000-08-11

This splendid recording by Mr. Bradetich exhibits a fine example of the virtuosity and refinement in the technique of today's bassists. This extremely enjoyable recording of Mr. Bradetich's transcriptions for bass showcase his very natural musical ability through a variety of styles. The tone, the phrasing, the depth, it's all there and more! This is a very nice collection of pieces for the double bass recorded with precision and clarity. I hope that all bassists will add this c.d. to their library! As for Mr. Bradetich, I can't wait for the next album!

A "must have" for all bassists.......2000-08-11

Ludwig Van Beethoven: "Spring" and "Kreutzer" Violin Sonatas

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Beethoven's Spring and Kreutzer Sonatas

Ludwig Van Beethoven: "Spring" and "Kreutzer" Violin Sonatas

Manufacturer: Andante
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00008V6VP
Release Date: 2003-04-08

Tracks:

Violin Sonata No. 5 in F major, Op. 24 "Spring": I Allegro
Violin Sonata No. 5 in F major, Op. 24 "Spring": II Adagio molto espressivo
Violin Sonata No. 5 in F major, Op. 24 "Spring": III Scherzo: Allegro molto
Violin Sonata No. 5 in F major, Op. 24 "Spring": IV Rondo: Allegro ma non troppo
Violin Sonata No. 5 in F major, Op. 24 "Spring": I Allegro
Violin Sonata No. 5 in F major, Op. 24 "Spring": II Adagio molto espressivo
Violin Sonata No. 5 in F major, Op. 24 "Spring": III Scherzo: Allegro molto
Violin Sonata No. 5 in F major, Op. 24 "Spring": IV Rondo: Allegro ma non troppo
Violin Sonata No. 5 in F major, Op. 24 "Spring": I Allegro
Violin Sonata No. 5 in F major, Op. 24 "Spring": II Adagio molto espressivo
Violin Sonata No. 5 in F major, Op. 24 "Spring": III Scherzo: Allegro molto
Violin Sonata No. 5 in F major, Op. 24 "Spring": IV Rondo: Allegro ma non troppo

Tracks:

Violin Sonata No. 9 in A major, Op. 47 "Kreutzer": I Adagio sostenuto - Presto
Violin Sonata No. 9 in A major, Op. 47 "Kreutzer": II Andante con variazioni
Violin Sonata No. 9 in A major, Op. 47 "Kreutzer" III Finale: Presto
Violin Sonata No. 9 in A major, Op. 47 "Kreutzer": I Adagio sostenuto - Presto
Violin Sonata No. 9 in A major, Op. 47 "Kreutzer": II Andante con variazioni
Violin Sonata No. 9 in A major, Op. 47 "Kreutzer": III Finale: Presto

Tracks:

Violin Sonata No. 9 in A major, Op. 47 "Kreutzer": I Adagio sostenuto - Presto
Violin Sonata No. 9 in A major, Op. 47 "Kreutzer": II Andante con variazioni
Violin Sonata No. 9 in A major, Op. 47 "Kreutzer": III Finale: Presto
Violin Sonata No. 9 in A major, Op. 47 "Kreutzer": I Adagio sostenuto - Presto
Violin Sonata No. 9 in A major, Op. 47 "Kreutzer": II Andante con variazioni
Violin Sonata No. 9 in A major, Op. 47 "Kreutzer": III Finale: Presto

Album Description

This three-CD set showcases Beethoven's most famous Violin Sonatas in multiple performances by some of the 20th century's greatest violin/piano duos. A virtual master class in Golden Age interpretation, this collection features three performances of the "Spring" Sonata and four of the "Kreutzer" Sonata, ranging from Georg Kulenkampff and Wilhelm Kempff's "Kreutzer" in 1935 to Nathan Milstein and Arthur Balsam's "Spring" in 1950. The set also includes the celebrated 1940 "Kreutzer" performance at the Library of Congress by Joseph Szigeti and Bela Bartók. To recapture the magic of these performances for a new century, rare, pristine 78s were transferred and 24-bit digitally remastered using the state-of-the-art CAP 440 technique. The 112-page, three-language companion book features classic photos of the performers and evocative images of the composer, as well as an introduction by Pulitzer Prize-winner Tim Page, an insightful contextual essay by Jed Distler ("Reading Between the Musical Lines") and detailed artist biographies from The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians.

Customer Reviews:

Beethoven's Spring and Kreutzer Sonatas.......2003-12-03

This 3-disc CD compilation features outstanding historical performances of Beethoven's two most widely-known sonatas for violin and piano: the "Spring" sonata and the "Kreutzer" sonata.
The recordings were remastered from old 78's and date from between 1935 and 1950. I think that performance style, especially on recordings, was more individualized among artists than is the case today. Recordings were more expensive to own and bulky to store. Retakes were difficult. Historical recordings tend to have a more spontaneous character, personal to the performer, where mistakes in an original take cannot simply be redone and covered over. There seems to be as well a great deal of heart and romanticism in these recordings which may be lost in modern performance styles.

Beethoven's sonata in F-major opus 24, the "Spring" sonata was published in 1801 and advertised at the time as a sonata for the piano with violin obligato. For all that, the work is well-balanced as between the two instruments. This is a flowing, lyrical work from Beethoven's first period and reminds the listener of Beethoven's ability to compose beautiful melody. The first movement consists of a lyrical, expansive initial theme followed by a second, energetic, theme which dips into the minor key. The second movement is a slow, reflective lyric, reminding me of Schubert, set over a piano accompanyment in broken chords. The third movement is a very short, rhythmically complex scherzo while the finale is a rondo with a singing theme reminiscent of the opening movement.

There are three performances of the "Spring" in this complilation: by Fritz Kreisler and Franz Rupp (1936), Szymon Goldberg and Lili Kraus (1936) and Nathan Milstein and Arthur Balsam (1950). It is a joy to hear these different performances and to compare the approaches of the artists to this music. The Milstein-Balsam performance is the closest of the three to contemporary style. But I was won over by the spontaneity and sweetness of Kreisler's violin in the first version, and by Lili Kraus' piano in the second version. In Kreisler-Rupp, the piano seems to take almost the role of accompanyment (contrary to the way Beethoven conceived the sonata) while in Goldberg-Kraus the two performers play as partners.

Beethoven's sonata in A-major, opus 47, the "Kreutzer" is a work surrounded by legend. Beethoven completed it in 1803 and dedicated the work to a violinist named Bridgetower, with whom Beethoven premiered the work. After Beethoven and Bridgetower had a falling-out, Beethoven rededicated the work to Kreutzer (1766-1831) a French virtuoso performer and a noted composer in his own right. Kreutzer never played the work which immortalized his name. Leo Tolstoy wrote a famous story, "The Kreutzer Sonata" which has since become inextricably linked with the music for which it is named.

This is virtuoso, flamboyant music dating from the beginning of Beethoven's second, "heroic" period. It is an expansive work in which both the piano and violin parts are showy and difficult. Beethoven's original title-page for the work describes it as in "a very concertante style, almost like a concerto." The first movement of this work, with its slow introduction for the violin in double and triple stops, its sweeping piano arpeggio which introduces the main portion of the movement, and the two contrasting themes of the movement with their development make a work for violin and piano like no other. There is great use of contrasts between loud, bravura passages for both instruments, long runs, striking pizzacato, and contrasting, intense quiet passages. The second movement is a florid set of variations which I think a fitting complement to the opening movement. The third movement is a lively, whirling and difficult tarantella that Beethoven appropriated from an earlier work he had planned.

There are four wonderful performances of the Kreutzer on this CD: Kreisler and Rupp (1936); Kulenkampff and Kempff (1935); Szigeti and Bartok (1940); and Busch and Serkin (1941). These recordings all differ among themselves and offer endless perspectives on this music. Again, I was struck by the sweetness and expressiveness of Kreisler's playing. But the collaborations between Szigeti and Bartok playing the piano at the Library of Congress and Busch and Serkin are classics in themselves. I have long been an admirer of Kempff's piano and enjoyed his performance here as well with Kulenkampff, a violinist I didn't know.

The CD comes with excellent program notes by Jed Distiller, helpful biographies of the performers, and interesting photos of Beethoven, the performers, and Kreutzer.

Tracks:

Violin Sonata No. 1, Sz 75: Allegro appassionato
Violin Sonata No. 1, Sz 75: Adagio
Violin Sonata No. 1, Sz 75: Allegro
Violin Sonata No. 2, Sz 76: Molto moderato
Violin Sonata No. 2, Sz 76: Allegretto
Contrasts, Sz 111: Verbunkos: Moderato, ben ritmico
Contrasts, Sz 111: Piheno: Lento
Contrasts, Sz 111: Sebes: Allegro vivace

Customer Reviews:

Worthwhile addition to a Bartok chamber music collection.......2000-10-05

Bartok's two sonatas for violin and piano have never seemed to me quite up to the standard of his quartets and the solo violin sonata. But that's about the highest standard there is, so never mind -- the performances here are quite good. The sound is ideal in Contrasts, but in the two sonatas the balance is off: Gyorgy Pauk's violin is somewhat dominated by the piano (in terms of volume, that is, certainly not the quality of the playing). This could have been fixable by adjusting the balance if the engineers had split the two instruments more between the two channels, but unfortunately they opted for a more realistic representation of the sound, as if the two were together on stage and sharing the microphone. In this case I could wish that realism had been compromised. Anyway, this is well worth the price and this rendition of Contrasts is as good as any.

The Violin Sonatas of Bartók, Janácek, Debussy, Prokofiev & Stravinsky [Canada]

Average customer rating:

The Violin Sonatas of Bartók, Janácek, Debussy, Prokofiev & Stravinsky [Canada]
Mullova , and Andreszewski
Manufacturer: Philips
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000E0W248
Release Date: 2006-02-13

Tracks: