Joseph Szigeti, Violin

Track Listings
Disc: 1

1. J.S. Bach / Keyboard Concerto in D Minor BWV 1052 (Fritz Stiedry, Orchestra of the New Friends of Music); I. Allegro
2. II. Adagio
3. III. Allegro
4. Giuseppe Tartini / Concerto in D Minor, D 45; I. Allegro
5. II. Grave

See all 17 tracks on this disc
Disc: 2

1. Beethoven / Concerto for violin and orchestra in D Major, op. 61 (Bruno Walter, British Symphony Orchestra); I. Allegro ma non troppo
2. II. Larghetto
3. III. Rondo: Allegro
4. Felix Mendelssohn / Concerto for violin and orchestra in E Minor, op. 64 (Sir Thomas Beecham, London Philharmonic Orchestra); I. Allegro molto appassionato
5. II. Andante

See all 6 tracks on this disc
Disc: 3

1. Sergei Prokofiev / Concerto No. 1 for violin and orchestra in D Major, op. 19 (Sir Thomas Beecham, London Philharmonic Orchestra); I. Andantino; Andante assai
2. II. Scherzo: Vivacissimo
3. III. Moderato
4. Niccol=F3 Paganini / Caprice No. 2, op. 1 No. 2
5. Ernest Bloch / Violin Concerto (Willem Mengelberg, Concertgebouworkest); I. Allegro deciso - Moderato - Allegro

See all 10 tracks on this disc
Disc: 4

1. G.F. Handel / Sonata op. 1, No. 13 in D Major (Nikita Magaloff, piano); I. Adagio; Andante sostenuto
2. II. Allegro
3. III. Larghetto
4. IV. Allegro
5. Johannes Brahms / Sonata No. 3, op. 108 (Egon Petri, piano); I. Allegro

See all 19 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Joseph Szigeti was one of the undisputed violin greats of the past century, renowned for capturing the core of the music he played, never descending to shallow display or generic interpretations. His artistic integrity is on ample display in this deluxe book-style album of well-transferred, well-chosen selections from his recorded prime. Some of them may have been equaled but never bettered. The Beethoven Concerto with Bruno Walter, the Prokofiev First with Beecham, the live Bloch Concerto with Mengelberg are all classic recordings whose value endures. The chamber works, too, are indispensable: the profundity of Szigeti's Brahms Op. 108 sonata with the legendary Egon Petri, for example, or his Handel with Nikita Magaloff make for unique listening. Even in the shorter, lighter pieces, he always plays idiomatically and milks everything there is in the music. Partners include such great composers as Bartók, who joins Szigeti and clarinetist Benny Goodman in "Contrasts," and Stravinsky, who partners the violinist in a 1945 recording of his Duo Concertante. Szigeti's later recordings often found his technique fallible and the tone pinched, but he's at his peak here, a wise artist who plumbed music's depths as few have before or since. --Dan Davis

Album Description
The "musician's musician," Szigeti abhorred the showy and superficial yet his recordings were never dull or pedantic. Many of the great landmarks of 20th century violin repertoire exist thanks to Szigeti's advocacy, and this collection features several works that Szigeti championed during his peak years of 1926 to 1946. Included is a "Hungarian Rhapsody" by one of his teachers, Jenö Hubay; Baroque classics by Bach, Tartini and Handel; the great violin concertos of Beethoven and Mendelssohn; modern concertos by Bloch and Prokofiev; and the chamber music he espoused throughout his long career, including the landmark recording of Bartók's "Contrasts" with the composer and Benny Goodman.

Joseph Szigeti, Violin, Music, Szigeti, Bach, Beethoven, Prokofiev, Handel, Box Sets (Audio Only), Chamber Music & Recitals, Classical, Classical Artists

Average customer rating: Excelllent

J.S. Bach: 6 Sonatas & Partitas for Violin Solo Manufacturer: Vanguard Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by J.S. Bach | Bach, Johann Sebastian | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Violin | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Similar Items: Bach: Sonatas and Partitas for Solo Violin Bach: Partitas Bach: Sonatas & Partitas for Solo Violin Bach: Sonatas for Unaccompanied Violin A Sonata Recital by Joseph Szigeti & Béla Bartók ASIN: B0000CABBG Release Date: 2003-10-21

Tracks:

1. Adagio
2. Fuga
3. Siciliana
4. Presto
5. Allemande
6. Double
7. Courante
8. Double
9. Sarabande
10. Double
11. Tempo Di Bouree
12. Double
13. Grave
14. Fuga
15. Andante
16. Allegro

Tracks:

1. Allemande
2. Courante
3. Sarabande
4. Gigue
5. Chaconne
6. Adagio
7. Fuga
8. Largo
9. Allegro Assai
10. Preludio
11. Loure
12. Gavotte En Rondeau
13. Menuett I & II
14. Bouree
15. Gigue

Customer Reviews:

Excelllent.......2007-02-07

Average customer rating: one of the most fascinating and indispensable documents of 20th century classical music interpretation

A Sonata Recital by Joseph Szigeti & Béla Bartók Manufacturer: Vanguard Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Bartók, Béla | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Beethoven | Beethoven, Ludwig van | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Debussy | Debussy, Claude | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Violin | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music 4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Beethoven: Late Quartets, etc / Busch Quartet Beethoven: Complete Piano Sonatas (Box Set) J.S. Bach: 6 Sonatas & Partitas for Violin Solo Pablo Casals: Festivals at Prades Vol. 1 Mozart: The Great Violin Sonatas, Vol. 2 ASIN: B0002XL21G Release Date: 2004-12-07

Customer Reviews:

one of the most fascinating and indispensable documents of 20th century classical music interpretation.......2007-06-12

Average customer rating: By far, the best violinist ever born!

Beethoven: Violin Concerto; Violin Sonata No. 5 "Spring" Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Beethoven | Beethoven, Ludwig van | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Violin | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music New York Philharmonic Orchestra | ( N ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Classical Instrumental Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music ASIN: B00000DSHD Release Date: 1993-02-09

Customer Reviews:

By far, the best violinist ever born!.......2005-04-25

Average customer rating:

Schnabel: Trio & Duo; Brahms: Chamber Music / Szigeti, et al Manufacturer: Arbiter ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Trios | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Brahms | Brahms, Johannes | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Violin | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Classical | Imports | Stores | Music ASIN: B00004T0MW Release Date: 2000-04-15

Tracks:

1. piano trio in b, op. 8
2. piano trio in b, op. 8
3. piano trio in b, op. 8
4. piano trio in b, op. 8
5. violin sonata in g, op. 78
6. violin sonata in g, op. 78
7. violin sonata in g, op. 78
8. violin sonata in a, op. 100
9. violin sonata in a, op. 100
10. violin sonata in a, op. 100

Average customer rating: The static is a third soloist

Beethoven: 10 Sonatas for Piano and Violin, Complete Manufacturer: Vanguard Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Beethoven | Beethoven, Ludwig van | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Violin | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music ASIN: B0002XL234 Release Date: 2004-12-07

Customer Reviews:

The static is a third soloist .......2005-06-17

Average customer rating:

Brahms: Piano Trio No. 2; Mendelssohn: Piano Trio No. 1 Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Trios | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Brahms | Brahms, Johannes | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Mendelssohn | Mendelssohn, Felix | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Casals, Pablo | ( C ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music 4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: Johannes Brahms: Sextet No. 1/Piano Trio No. 1 Franz Schubert: Quintet/Symphony No.5 Robert Schumann: Cello Concerto/Piano Trio No 01 ASIN: B000002AUG Release Date: 1995-02-21

Tracks:

1. Piano Trio No. 2 In C Major Op. 87: I. Allegro
2. Piano Trio No. 2 In C Major Op. 87: II. Andante con moto
3. Piano Trio No. 2 In C Major Op. 87: III. Scherzo. Presto - Poco meno presto
4. Piano Trio No. 2 In C Major Op. 87: IV. Finale. Allegro giocoso
5. Piano Trio No. 1 In D Minor, Op. 49: I. Molto allegro ed agitato
6. Piano Trio No. 1 In D Minor, Op. 49: II. Andante con moto tranquillo
7. Piano Trio No. 1 In D Minor, Op. 49: III. Scherzo. Leggero e vivace
8. Piano Trio No. 1 In D Minor, Op. 49: IV. Finale. Allegro assai appassionato

Average customer rating: An excellent historical compendium

Joseph Szigeti, Violin Manufacturer: Andante ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Trios | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by J.S. Bach | Bach, Johann Sebastian | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Bartók, Béla | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Beethoven | Beethoven, Ludwig van | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Bloch | Bloch, Ernest | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Brahms | Brahms, Johannes | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Dvorák, Antonín | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Falla | Falla, Manuel de | ( F ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Handel | Handel, George Frideric | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Kodály, Zoltán | ( K ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Milhaud | Milhaud, Darius | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Mendelssohn | Mendelssohn, Felix | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Paganini, Niccolò | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Prokofiev | Prokofiev, Sergei | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Stravinsky | Stravinsky, Igor | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Tartini | Tartini, Giuseppe | ( T ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Warlock | Warlock, Peter | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Violin | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Classical | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: J.S. Bach: 6 Sonatas & Partitas for Violin Solo ASIN: B00005U586 Release Date: 2001-10-01

Tracks:

1. J.S. Bach / Keyboard Concerto in D Minor BWV 1052 (Fritz Stiedry, Orchestra of the New Friends of Music); I. Allegro
2. II. Adagio
3. III. Allegro
4. Giuseppe Tartini / Concerto in D Minor, D 45; I. Allegro
5. II. Grave
6. III. Presto
7. J.S. Bach / Largo from Keyboard Concerto in F Minor, BWV 1056
8. Peter Warlock / Selections from Capriol Suite (Nikita Magaloff, piano); Basse Danse
9. Pavane
10. Mattachins
11. Antonin Dvor=E1k / Slavonic Dance No. 1, G Minor op. 46/2
12. Antonin Dvor=E1k / Slavonic Dance No. 2, G Minor op. 72/2
13. Jen=F6 Hubay / Hungarian Rhapsody from "Sc=E8nes de la Csarda" Op. 18
14. Zolt=E1n Kod=E1ly / Intermezzo from "H=E1ry J=E1nos"
15. Johannes Brahms / Hungarian Dance
16. Darius Milhaud / Sumare, Saudades do Brasil No. 9, op. 68
17. Manuel de Falla / Danza De Molinero; Miller's Dance (Anton Farkas, piano)

Tracks:

1. Beethoven / Concerto for violin and orchestra in D Major, op. 61 (Bruno Walter, British Symphony Orchestra); I. Allegro ma non troppo
2. II. Larghetto
3. III. Rondo: Allegro
4. Felix Mendelssohn / Concerto for violin and orchestra in E Minor, op. 64 (Sir Thomas Beecham, London Philharmonic Orchestra); I. Allegro molto appassionato
5. II. Andante
6. III. Allegro non troppo; Allegro molto vivace

Tracks:

1. Sergei Prokofiev / Concerto No. 1 for violin and orchestra in D Major, op. 19 (Sir Thomas Beecham, London Philharmonic Orchestra); I. Andantino; Andante assai
2. II. Scherzo: Vivacissimo
3. III. Moderato
4. Niccol=F3 Paganini / Caprice No. 2, op. 1 No. 2
5. Ernest Bloch / Violin Concerto (Willem Mengelberg, Concertgebouworkest); I. Allegro deciso - Moderato - Allegro
6. II. Andante
7. III. Deciso - Allegro moderato
8. B=E9la Bart=F3k / Kontrasztok, Sz. 111, Contrasts for violin, clarinet and piano (Benny Goodman, clarinet; B=E9la Bart=F3k, piano); I. Verbunkos (Recruiting dance)
9. II. Pihen (Relaxation)
10. III. Sebes (Fast dance)

Tracks:

1. G.F. Handel / Sonata op. 1, No. 13 in D Major (Nikita Magaloff, piano); I. Adagio; Andante sostenuto
2. II. Allegro
3. III. Larghetto
4. IV. Allegro
5. Johannes Brahms / Sonata No. 3, op. 108 (Egon Petri, piano); I. Allegro
6. II. Adagio
7. III. Un poco presto e con sentimento
8. IV. Presto agitato
9. Darius Milhaud / Le Printemps, Op. 18 (Kurt Ruhrseitz, piano)
10. Darius Milhaud / Corcovado, Saudades do Brasil N=B0 7, Op. 67 (Kurt Ruhrseitz, piano)
11. Ernest Bloch / Baal Shem (Three Pictures of Chassidic Life; Andor Foldes, piano); I. Vidui (Absolution) 2:58
12. II. Nigun (Improvisation)
13. III. Simchas Torah (Rejoicing)
14. Igor Stravinsky / Duo Concertant for violin and piano (Igor Stravinsky, piano); I. Cantil=E8ne
15. II. Eglogue I
16. III. Eglogue II
17. IV. Gigue
18. V. Dithyrambe
19. Igor Stravinsky / Pastorale (Mitchell Miller, oboe; Robert McGinnis, clarinet; Bert Gassman, English horn; Sol Schoenbach, bassoon; Igor Stravinsky, conductor)

Amazon.com

Album Description

Customer Reviews:

An excellent historical compendium.......2002-11-28

Packaging-wise, the Andante collections lead the market -- solid covers, in-depth commentary content from the Groves Dictionary of Music, and glossy color pages. The CDs are slotted into envelopes built into the package, which makes it a bit hard to get them out and in without getting finger-grease on them, but this isn't too big a deal.

The music itself is well-chosen out of Szigeti's discography, though I regret the omission of Szigeti's recording of Bartok's Romanian Dances with the composer at the piano (but it's available on the Biddulph label).

Szigeti's playing doesn't sound especially antiquated to modern ears; indeed, he could be said to be the first of the "modern" violinists, despite the early 20th century vintage of these recordings. He's an intellectual, with thoughtful interpretations in a classicist vein, and these particular choices illustrate his violinistic capabilities quite broadly.

My only real complaint is the quality of the sound. While these are high-quality remasterings, they still have that "digital" sound to them. If you have these recordings as 78s or analog LPs, you will not want this collection unless you're trying to avoid wear and tear on your records (and even if so, you may be better off just making a CD-R copy). There's a loss of warmth to the sound that is clearly audible when you compare these to the analog originals; what has been achieved in clarity is not, in my opinion, worth what has been lost in tonal quality. Alternative individual remasterings exist in some cases; for instance, I prefer the EMI CD of the Mendelssohn/Mozart No. 4/Prokofiev No. 1 concertos.

Nevertheless, this collection is highly recommended to fans of the history of the violin, as well as, of course, Szigeti fans who do not yet own much of his music on CD. The elegant packaging makes for a nice gift item, too.

Average customer rating:

Bach Festival: Prades, 1950, Vol. 3 Manufacturer: Pearl ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Trios | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Carl Philipp Emman. Bach | Bach, Carl Philipp Emman. | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by J.S. Bach | Bach, Johann Sebastian | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Concertinos | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Sonatas | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Trio Sonatas | Sonatas | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Toccatas | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Flute | Reeds & Winds | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Violin | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Casals, Pablo | ( C ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Similar Items: Bach Festival: Prades, 1950, Vol. 2 Bach Festival - Prades 1950 ASIN: B0000C6VVN Release Date: 2003-10-21

Tracks:

1. Allegro - Marcel Tabuteau
2. Adagio - Marcel Tabuteau
3. Allegro - Marcel Tabuteau
4. Vivace - Isaac Stern
5. Largo Ma Non Troppo - Isaac Stern
6. Allegro - Isaac Stern
7. Allegro - Mieczyslaw Horszowski
8. Adagio; Ma Non Tanto E Dolce - Mieczyslaw Horszowski
9. Alla Breve - Mieczyslaw Horszowski
10. Allegro - Clara Haskil
11. Largo - Clara Haskil
12. Presto - Clara Haskil

Tracks:

1. Allegro Risoluto - Joseph Szigeti
2. Adagio - Joseph Szigeti
3. Allegro - Joseph Szigeti
4. Allegro - Isaac Stern
5. Andante - Isaac Stern
6. Allegro Assai - Isaac Stern
7. Toccata & Fugue In E Minor - Eugene Istomin
8. Largo - Eugene Istomin
9. Vivace - Eugene Istomin
10. Allegro - Eugene Istomin
11. Presto - Eugene Istomin
12. Andante - Leopold Mannes
13. Largo E Dolce - Leopold Mannes
14. Presto; Allegro - Leopold Mannes

Average customer rating: Beethoven's Spring and Kreutzer Sonatas

Ludwig Van Beethoven: "Spring" and "Kreutzer" Violin Sonatas Manufacturer: Andante ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Beethoven | Beethoven, Ludwig van | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Violin | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Classical | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Milstein (4CD Set) Legend: David Oistrakh [CD & DVD] Bach: Sonatas and Partitas for Solo Violin Nathan Milstein - In Portrait Great Recordings Of The Century - Beethoven: Triple Concerto; Brahms: Double Concerto / Oistrakh, Rostropovich, Richter ASIN: B00008V6VP Release Date: 2003-04-08

Tracks:

1. Violin Sonata No. 5 in F major, Op. 24 "Spring": I Allegro
2. Violin Sonata No. 5 in F major, Op. 24 "Spring": II Adagio molto espressivo
3. Violin Sonata No. 5 in F major, Op. 24 "Spring": III Scherzo: Allegro molto
4. Violin Sonata No. 5 in F major, Op. 24 "Spring": IV Rondo: Allegro ma non troppo
5. Violin Sonata No. 5 in F major, Op. 24 "Spring": I Allegro
6. Violin Sonata No. 5 in F major, Op. 24 "Spring": II Adagio molto espressivo
7. Violin Sonata No. 5 in F major, Op. 24 "Spring": III Scherzo: Allegro molto
8. Violin Sonata No. 5 in F major, Op. 24 "Spring": IV Rondo: Allegro ma non troppo
9. Violin Sonata No. 5 in F major, Op. 24 "Spring": I Allegro
10. Violin Sonata No. 5 in F major, Op. 24 "Spring": II Adagio molto espressivo
11. Violin Sonata No. 5 in F major, Op. 24 "Spring": III Scherzo: Allegro molto
12. Violin Sonata No. 5 in F major, Op. 24 "Spring": IV Rondo: Allegro ma non troppo

Tracks:

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

Tracks:

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

Album Description

Customer Reviews:

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

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.

This would not be the best choice for a new listener just coming to this music. I would recommend that a new listener get a single version of these works, listen to them repeatedly, and combine this with an attempt to gain familiarity with a good variety of art music. For those who have loved this music for a long time, however, there is no better choice. These are two great works performed by some of the finest violinists and pianists of our time. These performances will enhance one's knowledge of the music and afford endless listening.

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Busoni: Sonata for Violin & Piano No. 2 in E minor; Concerto for Violin & Orchestra, Op. 35a Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Busoni | Busoni, Ferruccio | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Violin | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Classical Instrumental Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music ASIN: B00000DSHE Release Date: 1993-02-09

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8. Matthews: Fourth sonata for orchestra; Broken Symmetry
9. Mozart: Complete Sonatas for Fortepiano and Violin, Vol. 1; Mannheim Sonatas
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