Sonatas & Cantatas

1. Shepherds tune your pipes, cantata for soprano & continuo
Composed by Daniel Purcell
with Laura Crescini , Laura Crescini , Les Tresors D'Orphee

2. Trio Sonata in D minor
Composed by Daniel Purcell
with Michele Barchi , Michele Barchi , Marco Brolli , Simone Erre , Les Tresors D'Orphee

3. Apollo and Daphne, cantatas for soprano & continuo
Composed by Daniel Purcell
with Michele Barchi , Michele Barchi , Laura Crescini , Laura Crescini , Les Tresors D'Orphee

4. Sonata in C major
Composed by Daniel Purcell
with Michele Barchi , Michele Barchi , Marco Brolli , Les Tresors D'Orphee

5. She whom above myself I prize, cantata for soprano & continuo
Composed by Daniel Purcell
with Michele Barchi , Michele Barchi , Laura Crescini , Laura Crescini , Les Tresors D'Orphee

6. Sonata in F major
Composed by Daniel Purcell
with Michele Barchi , Michele Barchi , Laura Crescini , Laura Crescini , Simone Erre , Les Tresors D'Orphee

7. Within a verdant grove, cantata for soprano & continuo Within a Verdant Grove poor Stephon lay
Composed by Daniel Purcell
with Michele Barchi , Michele Barchi , Laura Crescini , Laura Crescini , Les Tresors D'Orphee

8. Trio Sonata in F major
Composed by Daniel Purcell
with Michele Barchi , Marco Brolli , Simone Erre , Les Tresors D'Orphee

9. Septimius and Acme, cantata for soprano & continuo Whilst on Septimius panting Breast
Composed by Daniel Purcell
with Michele Barchi , Michele Barchi , Laura Crescini , Laura Crescini , Les Tresors D'Orphee

10. Septimius and Acme, cantata for soprano & continuo My dearest Acme if I be once alive
Composed by Daniel Purcell
with Michele Barchi , Michele Barchi , Laura Crescini , Laura Crescini , Les Tresors D'Orphee

11. Septimius and Acme, cantata for soprano & continuo Acme inflam'd with what he said
Composed by Daniel Purcell
with Michele Barchi , Michele Barchi , Laura Crescini , Laura Crescini , Les Tresors D'Orphee

12. Septimius and Acme, cantata for soprano & continuo My little life, my all said she
Composed by Daniel Purcell
with Michele Barchi , Michele Barchi , Laura Crescini , Laura Crescini , Les Tresors D'Orphee

13. Trio Sonata in G minor
Composed by Daniel Purcell
with Michele Barchi , Michele Barchi , Marco Brolli , Simone Erre , Les Tresors D'Orphee

14. My God, my God, look upon me, anthem for soprano, solo organ & continuo
Composed by Daniel Purcell
with Michele Barchi , Michele Barchi , Laura Crescini , Laura Crescini , Les Tresors D'Orphee

Sonatas & Cantatas,Purcell,Stradivarius,Classical

Average customer rating: Brahms Violin Sonatas these are really good sonatas Brahms Finest Brahms Perlman and Ashkenazy do it again

Great Recordings Of The Century - Brahms: Violin Sonatas nos 1 - 3 / Perlman, Ashkenazy Itzhak Perlman , and Vladimir Ashkenazy Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Brahms | Brahms, Johannes | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Violin | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Perlman, Itzhak | ( P ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music $7.99 and Under | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Brahms, Johannes | ( B ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Perlman, Itzhak | ( P ) | Performers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Instrumental | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Similar Items: Great Recordings Of The Century - Beethoven: Triple Concerto; Brahms: Double Concerto / Oistrakh, Rostropovich, Richter Brahms: Ein deutsches Requiem [A German Requiem] Paganini: 24 Caprices Dvorák: Cello Concerto; Tchaikovsky / Karajan, Rostropovich, Mozart: The Violin Sonatas ASIN: B00000I7VT Release Date: 1999-03-09

Tracks:

1. Violin Sonata No.1 In G, Op.78: I: Vivace ma non troppo
2. Violin Sonata No.1 In G, Op.78: II: Adagio
3. Violin Sonata No.1 In G, Op.78: III: Allegro molto moderato
4. Violin Sonata No.2 In A, Op.100: I: Allegro amibile
5. Violin Sonata No.2 In A, Op.100: II: Andante tranquillo - Vivace
6. Violin Sonata No.2 In A, Op.100: II: Allegretto grazioso (quasi andante)
7. Violin Sonata No.3 In D Minor, Op.108: I: Allegro
8. Violin Sonata No.3 In D Minor, Op.108: II: Adagio
9. Violin Sonata No.3 In D Minor, Op.108: III: Un poco presto e con sentimento
10. Violin Sonata No.3 In D Minor, Op.108: IV: Presto agitato

Amazon.com essential recording

Itzhak Perlman is the greatest living exponent of the Romantic, sentimental style of violin playing. As in his reading of the Brahms concerto, he shows sovereign mastery in these accounts, which are characterized by intense emotion and heated expression (Perlman's warm vibrato and carefully placed portamentos quickly give him away), but are also gripping in the quiet, meditative pages. The first two sonatas' relationship to songs could easily be guessed from the way Perlman plays them in a single, seamless line, marked by soaring climaxes and tender, haunting pianissimos. The treatment sometimes does seem a bit premeditated, but it is so compelling as to sweep aside any criticism. In this 1983 recording (sonically superior to Perlman's later remake with pianist Daniel Barenboim, for Sony), the violin sounds slightly forward, though not unpleasantly so. Warm, supportive, lyrical playing from Vladmir Ashkenazy rounds out a marvelous offering. --Ted Libbey

Customer Reviews:

Brahms Violin Sonatas.......2007-01-11

Good but not top flight. This is an old recording--sounds a little tired.

these are really good sonatas.......2005-10-10

These three sonatas are in my opinion some of the best compositions of Brahms. They are wonderfully tunefull and each sets a distinct mood (although all three are somewhat melancholic). The interaction of the violin and piano is just fantastic and Perlman and Ashkenazy pull it off well. Sound quality is great as well.

Brahms.......2005-10-07

I bought this for my college age daughter's music class and I am enjoying it as well. Violin music, of any sort, is enjoyable to listen to and this one is a wonderful addition to a music library.

Finest Brahms.......2002-05-22

I've always enjoyed Brahms' chamber works more than his symphonies. Somehow his intent comes off more clearly; the desperation and anger and melancholy of the music is more exposed, as if juggling an entire orchestra in the composition could dull the edges of these emotions. Of course the quality of any piece is tied with the quality of the performers (who invariably stamp then with their own personalities), and here we have a brilliant union: Perlman and Ashkenazy play flawlessly. Perlman's tonality is clear and sonorous, but never treacly; it still maintains the edge that these pieces require. From the sweet lilting melodies of the first sonata to simmering violence of the third, it is a commanding performance. The piano part in these works is equally demanding, and Ashkenazy is more than a match for Perlman's virtuosity.

If you're looking for the third sonata specifically, Vengerov and Barenboim turn in a more stirring (but somewhat looser) performance on the Teldec label. I actually prefer that version as it's more intense, more intimate. But if you're looking for a complete collection of these wonderful sonatas, you simply can't go wrong with Perlman and Ashkenazy.

Perlman and Ashkenazy do it again.......2001-07-24

The combination of these two great artists continually results in some of the finest music making ever. The two seem to almost share a mind while performing so perfectly in tune with each other they come across. I don't think Brahms has ever sounded so beautiful and alive as this recording manages to sound.

Average customer rating: Impressive technique, but missing Haydn's genial spirit Where's the fire? The Fastest Haydn Sonatas Ever Recorded in the Guiness Book of Records Evocative of absolutely nothing save Hamelin's fingers. Hamelin Does it Again!

Haydn: Piano Sonatas Manufacturer: Hyperion UK ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Franz Joseph Haydn | Haydn, Franz Joseph | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Sonatas | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Sonatinas | Sonatas | Forms & Genres | 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 | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Classical | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: Volodos Plays Liszt Piano Quintet in F Min / Complete String Quartets (1, 2, 3) Marc-Andre Hamelin: It's All About the Music Brahms: The Piano Quartets Rameau: Keyboard Suites ASIN: B000N2H832 Release Date: 2007-04-10

Tracks:

1. Allegro
2. Adagio
3. Allegro Molto
4. Allegretto Innocentemente
5. Presto
6. Allegretto Moderato
7. Adagio
8. Finale: Presto
9. Allegro
10. Allegro Di Molto
11. Allegro Moderato
12. Adagio
13. Finale: Presto

Tracks:

1. Moderato
2. Adagio
3. Finale: Presto
4. Moderato
5. Menuetto-Trio-Menuetto Da Capo
6. Rondo: Presto
7. Allegro
8. Adagio
9. Finale: Presto
10. Allegro Moderato
11. Menuet
12. Finale: Presto
13. Allegro Con Brio
14. Largo E Sostenuto
15. Finale: Presto Ma Non Troppo

Customer Reviews:

Impressive technique, but missing Haydn's genial spirit.......2007-07-11

Almost all of Haydn's artistry is richly rewarding, and I encourage everyone with an interest in Classical music to acquaint themselves with his welcoming genius. Haydn's gift for lapidary musical invention seems nearly inexhaustible, and his piano sonatas are yet another genre where his creativity can be easily approached and enjoyed. I'm grateful to Marc-Andre Hamelin for recording these neglected sonatas with splendid panache, bringing them fresh to an appreciative audience. However, I sometimes feel that Haydn's music is performed skillfully, though without the breadth of humane sympathy it deserves, and I suspect that the full wealth of Haydn's craft is not quite arrayed, here. I won't find fault with Hamelin's talents as a pianist, which are brilliantly polished, nor do I mean to be glib with my critique, but I will say that stylistically, his renderings sound to my ears more like caffeinated Chopin rather than Franz Josef's neo-Classical poise, humor, verve and endearing warmth. I first fell in love with Haydn's piano music through the performances of Bart van Oort, on pianoforte (Brilliant Classics label) and John McCabe, on modern piano (London/Decca label). Unfortunately, these recordings seem to be available only as complete sets of the Haydn sonatas, which would be too great an investment for most listeners. A relatively inexpensive introduction to the abundant pleasures of Haydn's piano pieces can be found through the recordings of Alfred Brendel, such as this album available here on Amazon: Haydn: 3 Piano Sonatas; Fantasia in C; Adagio in F. Brendel's performance is erudite and heartfelt, if somewhat romantic. For pianism that is a bit closer to the sound-world of 18th-century Austria (yet played on modern instruments) both Andras Schiff Haydn: Piano Sonatas and Leif Ove Andsnes ~ Haydn - Piano Sonatas can be recommended.

Where's the fire?.......2007-06-23

Marc-Andre Hamelin's twofer of Haydn piano sonatas details most of the master's later sonatas in stylisitic performances that sometimes get a bit too dramatic and use too much pedal. Hamelin is a world-class player recorded well here who has some affinity for this music. My principal question when listening to these is, "Where's the fire?" Hamelin uses tempo more attuned to the keyboard music of Antonio Vivaldi, had he written any, than the witty and relaxed Josef Haydn. For all his fine quailties, Hamelin simply plays too fast too often, as if he's trying to set some sort of world speed record.

I recommend anyone looking to invest in a two-CD set of Hadyn sonatas to first sample the classic set by Alfred Brendel that's been around more than 20 years. He is more mature and more temperate playing than what's provided by this viruoso. Brendel is expert in this repertoire and always adheres to Haydn's style and temperament. Some other famous players have done well with these sonatas, also. Sviatoslav Richter loved Haydn and recorded many of the sonatas on concert and studio recordings over his career. Virtuoso colorist keyboard virtuoso Mikhail Pletnev recorded a handful of the sonatas including one of the best versions of the "English" sonata ever recorded. Try his recordings on Virgin and compare them to Hamelin, who is a fine player but is intemperate.

The Fastest Haydn Sonatas Ever Recorded in the Guiness Book of Records.......2007-06-19

I've to second AllOverWith's review of Hamelin's Haydn and I have nothing much to add that has not been said.

Four positive, five-star reviews had prompted me to listen again - just to the entire first-movement of the last C major Sonata. I thought I could be wrong - that there could still be something that I could savour from the recording. Maybe something that I've not expected.

At such breakneck speed, I thought I was just treated to a whirlwind of notes, smacked together in a fraction of a second; it made little sense to my mind's ear, even less so to speak of a nuanced interpretation.

If the whole point of this other set of Haydn sonatas in the market is to prove something that prior recordings haven't, Hamelin has certainly done it - purely in terms of speed. If anything else there's probably little that has not been already said.

Initially I gave five out of five stars unintentionally and wanted to leave it as it is, but thought it would be construed as either contrary to my views or an overly deliberate attempt at sarcasm.

So I gave two stars for the interpretation and an additional star for those who value pyrotechnics and how fast these pieces could go.

Evocative of absolutely nothing save Hamelin's fingers........2007-06-18

Okay, time to bring the hyperbole down a notch. It seems that no matter what Hamelin does he's lauded to the skies, which strikes me as a fair assessment of the soullessness of the age. Look at the guy -- he's an accountant! And this is not piano playing, it's note-tabulating. These performances of the Haydn piano sonatas feel like butterflies pinned to a board of cork. Facile technique for the sake of facile technique. Sometimes that can work, like in the Medtner sonatas, where just playing the notes correctly will suffice -- since no one else can do it -- but here, in Haydn, it feels almost contemptuous. Hamelin seems to take on faith that there is no depth, nothing of importance to be found in these pages, that these are antiques that he's only dusting off to show how his nimble sausage-fingers can make ANYTHING interesting. Wrong.

Haydn was well known for having a story in mind for almost every piece he wrote. His sonatas are far from all-purpose baroque filigree like Scarlatti; they are miniature dramas. Though we'll never know those stories, what's important is that the impression be given of Haydn's personality ( a doddering yet youthful-spirited old man, occasionally getting mildly excited by memories, then becoming mildly depressed at his current situation, but remaining generally optimistic. ) I defy you to find anything less personal than the impression Hamelin gives on this CD. He literally sucks the breath out of these pieces, vampirizes them, reduces them to "sewing-machine music," to quote Gould on Bach. The arrogance with which he jumps from Scriabinite tripe to Haydn as if it's all the same to him, as if he doesn't even have to make the effort to immerse himself in an entirely different mindset, is off-putting in the extreme.

You can't take a bullet train if you want to see the countryside, and Ronald Brautigam on BIS gets so much more out of this music that it's ludicrous to even compare the two. This thing puts me to sleep.

Hamelin Does it Again!.......2007-06-18

Marc-Andre Hamelin is, arguably, the finest pianist performing today. His choice of repertoire is unfailingly interesting. This CD, as many other reviewers have indicated, might seem to be a surprise at first - Hamelin and Haydn? - yet this apparent difficulty resolves itself easily. Haydn was one of the giants of music. His influence on Beethoven is profound. He continued to grow as a musician and composer right up until he died. His piano sonatas are unfairly overshadowed by Mozart's essays in the form. Yet, I would agree with the late Glenn Gould that Haydn writes more effectively and interestingly for the instrument. Unlike Mozart, who was considered a virtuoso and had something to lose by learning from a rival, Haydn did not hesitate to learn from the new virtuosity that Clementi was bringing to the instrument and a number of these (especially the later sonatas) are brusing knuckle dusters. It is ironic that nothing I have heard from Hamelin in years displays his exceptional gifts so well as these CDs of Haydn sonatas. The clarity, brio, precision and taste are extraordinary. These are the finest recordings of Haydn sonatas that I have ever heard. And this is a superior value. Hyperion has given you two CDs for the price of one. I hope that Mr. Hamelin records more Haydn. Buy this, you will not be sorry.

Average customer rating: Yes, perfect Mozart-A prisoner of his own time. Good music and good value Five and a half hours of joy for not much bucks FINALLY

Mozart: Piano Sonatas Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Duets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Fantasies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Sonatas | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Sonatinas | Sonatas | Forms & Genres | 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 Eschenbach, Christoph | ( E ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Classical | Box Sets | Stores | Music Blowout Box Sets | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 20% Off | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus | ( M ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Eschenbach, Christoph | ( E ) | Performers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Instrumental | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Bargain Box Sets | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music Deutsche Grammophon: Music | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: Mozart: The Violin Sonatas Brahms: Works for Solo Piano Schubert: The Piano Sonatas Beethoven: The Complete Piano Sonatas Beethoven - The Complete String Quartets / Alban Berg Quartet ASIN: B00002DEH1 Release Date: 1999-11-09

Tracks:

1. Piano Sonata In C Major, K. 46d: 1. Allegro
2. Piano Sonata In C Major, K. 46d: 2. Menuetto I - II
3. Piano Sonata In F Major, K. 46e: 1. Allegro
4. Piano Sonata In F Major, K. 46e: 2. Menuetto
5. Piano Sonata In C Major, K. 279: 1. Allegro
6. Piano Sonata In C Major, K. 279: 2. Andante
7. Piano Sonata In C Major, K. 279: 3. Allegro
8. Piano Sonata In F Major, K. 280: 1. Allegro assai
9. Piano Sonata In F Major, K. 280: 2. Adagio
10. Piano Sonata In F Major, K. 280: 3. Presto
11. Piano Sonata In B Flat Major, K. 281: 1. Allegro
12. Piano Sonata In B Flat Major, K. 281: 2. Andante amoroso
13. Piano Sonata In B Flat Major, K. 281: 3. Rondeau. Allegro
14. Piano Sonata In E Flat Major, K. 282: 1. Adagio
15. Piano Sonata In E Flat Major, K. 282: 2. Menuetto I - II
16. Piano Sonata In E Flat Major, K. 282: 3. Allegro

Tracks:

1. Piano Sonata In G Major, K. 283: 1. Allegro
2. Piano Sonata In G Major, K. 283: 2. Andante
3. Piano Sonata In G Major, K. 283: 3. Presto
4. Piano Sonata In D Major, K. 284: 1. Allegro
5. Piano Sonata In D Major, K. 284: 2. Rondo en Polonaise. Andante
6. Piano Sonata In D Major, K. 284: 3. Andante - Thema - Variations I-XII
7. Piano Sonata In C Major, K. 309: 1. Allegro con spirito
8. Piano Sonata In C Major, K. 309: 2. Andante un poco adagio
9. Piano Sonata In C Major, K. 309: 3. Rondeau. Allegretto grazioso
10. Piano Sonata In D Major, K. 311: 1. Allegro con spirito
11. Piano Sonata In D Major, K. 311: 2. Andante con espressione
12. Piano Sonata In D Major, K. 311: 3. Rondo. Allegro

Tracks:

1. Piano Sonata In A Minor, K. 310: 1. Allegro maestoso
2. Piano Sonata In A Minor, K. 310: 2. Andante cantabile con espressione
3. Piano Sonata In A Minor, K. 310: 3. Presto
4. Piano Sonata In C Major, K. 330: 1. Allegro moderato
5. Piano Sonata In C Major, K. 330: 2. Andante cantabile
6. Piano Sonata In C Major, K. 330: 3. Allegretto
7. Piano Sonata In A Major, K. 331: 1. Andante grazioso - Thema - Variations I - VI
8. Piano Sonata In A Major, K. 331: 2. Menuetto - Trio
9. Piano Sonata In A Major, K. 331: 3. Alla turca. Allegretto

Tracks:

1. Piano Sonata In F Major, K. 332: 1. Allegro
2. Piano Sonata In F Major, K. 332: 2. Adagio
3. Piano Sonata In F Major, K. 332: 3. Allegro assai
4. Piano Sonata In B Flat Major, K. 333: 1. Allegro
5. Piano Sonata In B Flat Major, K. 333: 2. Andante cantabile
6. Piano Sonata In B Flat Major, K. 333: 3. Allegretto grazioso
7. Fantasia In C Minor, K. 475: Adagio - Allegro - Andantino - Piu allegro - Primo tempo
8. Piano Sonata In C Minor, K. 457: 1. Molto allegro
9. Piano Sonata In C Minor, K. 457: 2. Adagio
10. Piano Sonata In C Minor, K. 457: 3. Allegro assai

Tracks:

1. Piano Sonata In F Major, K. 533: 1. Allegro (K. 533)
2. Piano Sonata In F Major, K. 533: 2. Andante (K. 533)
3. Piano Sonata In F Major, K. 533: 3. Rondo. Allegretto (K. 494)
4. Piano Sonata In C Major, K. 545: 1. Allegro
5. Piano Sonata In C Major, K. 545: 2. Andante
6. Piano Sonata In C Major, K. 545: 3. Rondo. Allegretto
7. Piano Sonata In B Flat Major, K. 570: 1. Allegro
8. Piano Sonata In B Flat Major, K. 570: 2. Adagio
9. Piano Sonata In B Flat Major, K. 570: 3. Allegretto
10. Piano Sonata In D Major, K. 576: 1. Allegro
11. Piano Sonata In D Major, K. 576: 2. Adagio
12. Piano Sonata In D Major, K. 576: 3. Allegretto

Customer Reviews:

Yes, perfect.......2007-07-11

Fabulous music. Simple, direct, un-affected peformances that are a delight to listen-to over and over again. At times the playing is utterly sublime. These performances are technically perfect in a smooth sense - and totally absorbing.

Mozart-A prisoner of his own time........2006-09-08

If you were to clump all of the composers of the classical era together, mix them up, and listen to them willy-nilly in a blind hearing test, you'll never be able to tell the difference between them... until you hear Mozart. Mozart's era was not rich in harmony. To me, Haydn wrote the same symphony over and over. Stamitz and Gossec... love 'em, but they were also prisoners of this classical harmony. But Mozart was able to put his fingerprint on all of his music. You can pick his music out blindly with ease because it is unmistakingly Mozart. That's why we have a mostly Mozart festival and not a mostly Kraus (who?) festival.

As this cd shows, Mozart's music was sublime. But even he struggled with using this "harmony of the day". If you were to study the catalogues of Mozart's symphonies, sonatas, and chamber music, let's face it; you would hear a lot of turkies before you made it to the peacocks. We would have to wait until Chopin until the harmonies fattened up a little.

Having said that, you have to completely hail Mozart for taking what was available to him in his day and creating some of the most sublime music with it. It would be like for the next ten years all the world had available to eat was peas, and 200 years from now one man became immortal for the many interesting ways he was able to manipulate peas into a meal.

Good music and good value.......2006-08-28

Bought this for my son who is learning to play piano. Lots of good music, not too expensive.

Five and a half hours of joy for not much bucks.......2005-11-11

This is just about the best money I've ever spent on music. I love Eschenbach's interpretations: tenderness and emotional intimacy in spades---and dazzling effects without self-consciousness or "athletic" display of technique. I would say that he "lets Mozart be Mozart," except that these interpretations have so much personality that Eschenbach's own life-energy must be coming through. I just think that his own personality complements Mozart's perfectly.

FINALLY.......2004-08-05

I've searched the world over for a box set of all of Mozart's piano sonatas that I liked. The first one I heard was the Glenn Gould version, which in retrospect was not so smart. I like his playing but he hums into the mic during the recording. Real smart.

Anyways, Eschenbach plays these with all the virtuosity and feeling they demand. My favorite piano sonata is Mozart's 12th and he plays it flawlessly; the only thing remotely lacking is that he doesn't quite dig in as much as Alicia de la Roccha does when she plays it on the Allegro movement, but he more than makes up for it with his playing on the Adagio movement.

If it's not your cup of tea it might be worthwhile getting the de la Roccha box set, but personally I think the Eschenbach recording is the best out of all of them.

Average customer rating: The deepest insights into Bach Earlier 1954 and 1956 versions Milstein is a master

Bach: Sonatas for Unaccompanied Violin Manufacturer: EMI 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 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 $7.99 and Under | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Bach, Johann Sebastian | ( B ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Instrumental | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Similar Items: Bach: Partitas Bach: Sonatas & Partitas Bach: Sonatas & Partitas for Solo Violin Bach: Complete Sonatas and Partitas for Solo Violin Bach: Sonatas and Partitas for Solo Violin ASIN: B0000589T1 Release Date: 2001-02-13

Tracks:

1. Son No.1 in g, BWV1001: I. Adagio
2. Son No.1 in g, BWV1001: II. Fuga (Allegro)
3. Son No.1 in g, BWV1001: III. Siciliano
4. Son No.1 in g, BWV1001: IV. Presto
5. Son No.2 in a, BWV1003: I. Grave
6. Son No.2 in a, BWV1003: II. Fuga
7. Son No.2 in a, BWV1003: III. Andante
8. Son No.2 in a, BWV1003: IV. Allegro
9. Son No.3 in C, BWV1005: I. Adagio
10. Son No.3 in C, BWV1005: II. Fuga
11. Son No.3 in C, BWV1005: III. Largo
12. Son No.3 in C, BWV1005: IV. Allegro Assai
13. Original Master Recording Slate: Capitol Studios, March 26, 1954

Customer Reviews:

The deepest insights into Bach.......2005-05-17

Bach is my favorite composer, and of all Bach's works, the Goldberg Variations, and these solo violin sonatas/partitas, are my "desert island" works. I've listened to many recordings of these sonatas/partitas, from Yehudi Menuhin to Jascha Heifetz, Grumiaux, Perlman, Podger, and others. Milstein's survey from the 1950s on EMI stands as my favorite, in comparison with his DG rendition in the 1970s.

I had a conversation with one of the editors of the Penguin guide about these recordings, and Milstein was also his favorite, but he preferred the 70s DG version for reasons of sound quality and technical brilliance. I countered that the EMI Milstein set from the 50s was superior for the depth of insight brought to these pieces. Nathan Milstein was in his absolute prime when he first recorded this survey in the 50s. His insights into Bach are pure, with the required delicacy in slow movements, the right touch of silence here and there to let the music breathe, without being CONSPICUOUSLY slow, such as the Perlman set, which tends to drag at times. His fugues are perfectly light on their feet, his rhythms perfectly sprung, without making it a horse race. In short, Milstein stays out of the way of Bach in every moment of the EMI set, and we are face to face with the composer. But in the DG set from the 1970s, Milstein seems to be rushing through some passages (as does Grumiaux), with more regard for "technical brilliance" as the Penguin editor cited, instead of pure musicality and reverence of Bach. I have listened to both Milstein versions, and the 70s DG recording simply does not reach down into the depths of Bach in the same way.

The Jascha Heifetz rendition is also outstanding, but when you listen to it, you know that it's about Heifetz, not so much about Bach. Now, Heifetz was indeed the best of the best, in terms of his technical mastery. The one segment where Heifetz wins me over from everyone else is in the mighty Chaconne from Partita 2. In this Mount Everest of solo violin, Heifetz takes you on an exhilarating ride that leaves you speechless. I have never heard the Chaconne played with such fearless power and confidence than from Heifetz. For that one segment alone, I bow to him above all others. He was indeed the best.

But Heifetz himself always heaped praise upon Nathan Milstein, which was exceedingly rare. Heifetz never praised anyone! Heifetz always demanded that his students go to see Milstein perform. If his students didn't go, they'd be in trouble! So Milstein certainly commanded a great deal of respect from Heifetz. And when you hear Milstein play the mighty Chaconne, he almost has the supreme technical mastery of Heifetz. Not quite, but almost. However, once again, when you hear the Heifetz version, you are hearing Heifetz, the master. When you hear the (50s EMI) Milstein version, you are hearing Bach.

I invite the listener to compare one specific movement between these two Milstein versions, and then make their own decision. Listen very carefully to the opening Grave movement from Sonata 2 in A Minor. Compare and contrast the depth of insight in the 50s version on EMI, and the 70s version on DG. You will most likely come to the same conclusion as I did after making my own comparison. Then compare other movements throughout the set, but start with that one. For me, there is no doubt. The 50s set is pure, unadulterated Bach at its finest. No other violinist came closer to the heart of this beautiful music than Milstein did in the 1950s. Even HE didn't get as close to it when he remade this music later in his life. And by the way, in terms of sound quality, this EMI set from the 50s is perfect! There is no cavernous reverb, just the pure unadulterated sound of Milstein's violin, so clean and clear that he is right there in the room with you. The two words I always come away with after listening to this 50s Milstein set on EMI are "intimacy" and "insight."

Earlier 1954 and 1956 versions.......2004-12-19

Supposedly the 1975 versions (includes partitas in the 2 cd set on DG) were better in Milstein's judgment. I think they are both amazing.

Milstein is a master.......2001-12-07

This recording not only demonstrates mastery over an instrument but also clearly demonstrates Bach's genius. A just plain wonderful pair Bach and Milstein. These mid 50's recordings are a must for lovers of true sonic beauty.

Average customer rating: The best...simply! This is not Arrau, this is Beethoven himself A very passionate and serious-minded Beethoven. Must-have if you like Beethoven Exquisite, elegant, measured, and great.

Beethoven: Piano Sonatas Manufacturer: Philips ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Beethoven | Beethoven, Ludwig van | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Sonatinas | Sonatas | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Arrau, Claudio | ( A ) | 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 CDs $7 - $10 | Sonatas | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Sonatas | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music Similar Items: Chopin: Preludes & Nocturnes Chopin: The Complete Nocturnes And Impromptus Bach: Violin Concertos Gershwin: Rhapsody In Blue/An American In Paris Bach: Brandenburg Concertos No. 1-4; Neville Marriner; Academy of St. Martin in the Fields ASIN: B00000411Z Release Date: 1990-03-29

Tracks:

1. Piano Sonata No. 8 In C Minor, Op. 13 (Pathetique): 1. Grave - Allegro di molto e con brio
2. Piano Sonata No. 8 In C Minor, Op. 13 (Pathetique): 2. Adagio cantabile
3. Piano Sonata No. 8 In C Minor, Op. 13 (Pathetique): 3. Rondo (Allegro)
4. Piano Sonata No. 23 In F Minor, Op. 57 (Appassionata): 1. Allegro assai
5. Piano Sonata No. 23 In F Minor, Op. 57 (Appassionata): 2. Andante con moto -
6. Piano Sonata No. 23 In F Minor, Op. 57 (Appassionata): 3. Allegro ma non troppo
7. Piano Sonata No. 14 In C Sharp Minor, Op. 27 No. 2 (Moonlight): 1. Adagio sostenuto -
8. Piano Sonata No. 14 In C Sharp Minor, Op. 27 No. 2 (Moonlight): 2. Allegretto
9. Piano Sonata No. 14 In C Sharp Minor, Op. 27 No. 2 (Moonlight): 3. Presto agitato

Customer Reviews:

The best...simply!.......2007-06-09

What more can I say....
I dont really know much about classical, and I wont pretend that I do, but to me, this is perfection!
Excellent service to as item arrived in good time!

This is not Arrau, this is Beethoven himself.......2006-07-19

First of all I would like to say, I have to disagree with a reviewer that says Arrau plays "too slow" this I can handle although I consider his speed is fine... but mostly when he says something like "he gives a romantic touch to these sonatas that were dedicated to men".

That is a huge blasphemy and here's why: Beethoven was a passionate man, I guess every Beethoven fan and student knows that, and if you still don't believe it just listen to his piano, violin and cello trios to see how much passion and romance there is involved. So it doesn't matter if he dedicated these sonatar (or any of his works) to a woman, a man or an alien, it is quite clear that whoever it was intended to, Beethoven would have probably execute it with passion and romance.

The execution of the Appassionata sonata is the ultimate execution. I need more words from other universe to describe how you can easly breeze into the composer's mind and actually feel what he felt and thought when he composed this piece. The 3rd movement is to me the best around and the best I've heard (from dozens of dozens), especially the last two minutes when it's clear the composer went drive mad. With other performers you will see that in these two minutes (when the piece reachis its climax) they will normally slow down which obviously a clear mistake and not what Beethoven intended). The last two minutes are to be played with madness, more madness, anger, more anger and all the passion you can put into those 88 keys. You can't slow down the climax of the piece ! That's why it is called Appassionata ! Such a beautiful piece.

The moonlight execution is the best I've heard too (with the exception of the 1st movement). Each one of the three movements take you to a mind state where you can feel how and what Beethoven felt about countess Giuletta Giucardi: love, joy and then hate, respectively. Just like the appasionata, the 3rd movement's performance is stunning. By the time you reach half of it, your mind will think you're listening to Beethoven.

Patetique is a good execution. I haven't really heard a notable performance, probably due to the fact of being one of Beethoven's earlier -more Mozartian/classisist- works. Still it is very good, and the movement that impresses me the most is the second.

Do your self a favor and get this CD. You will trash any other Beethoven Piano sonatas CD, and you will eventually look forward to buy the 32 piano sonata box set by Claudio Arrau -to listen to the man himself playing all his works-, which I proudly own and just like this disc, it is worth every single penny.

A very passionate and serious-minded Beethoven........2004-01-01

Claudio Arrau is not always an easy pianist to listen to. His playing is sometimes very irritating and at times can seem boring. Not everyone will agree with his Beethoven playing, and his playing in general, but many will be fascinated by his complex intellectuality. His Beethoven playing, particularly the sonatas, are some of his best and most interesting work. If anyone was to own one recording of Arrau's playing, I would surely suggest a Beethoven recording. His interpretations of these three popular sonatas are unorthodox but are given very passionate and interesting performances. Anyone studying or interested in these sonatas should listen to Arrau, the Appassionata especially is given an excellent performance.

This CD is highly recommended, it's an excellent lesson in Arrau's Beethoven playing.

Must-have if you like Beethoven.......2003-12-09

This is a disc you should buy immediately if you don't have Arrau's complete Beethoven sonatas set already. Arrau gives truly superb renditions of these three sonatas: the Pathetique is stormy and dramatic in its outer movements and intensely peaceful at the center, his Moonlight sheds a new light on this too often played sonata, but the real prize of the disc is the Appassionata, where Arrau plays with more angriness and drama than anyone I've yet heard. Hear how he assaults the chords of the third movement! These three sonatas, especially the last, are Arrau's territory and it shows in all aspects. You'd best get the whole set but for a good introduction this single disc is indispensable.

Exquisite, elegant, measured, and great........2003-11-18

It's wonderful to return to these works after an absence of 30 years. Familiar, but ... consider the andante con moto of No 23 in F Minor, Op 57... it begins quietly, measured pace, the low notes of the keyboard,
certain in its course, building slowly, then it moves into the middle range, so beautiful, so much beauty, bell like tone of the notes, exquisite touch of the pianist, as if reasoning with us, listen to me, listen to me, a sense of urgency, sensual urgency builds, playfulness, but the inexorable drive to climax, back to the beginning for the resolution, a pause, then ....
If there is anything more beautiful in the piano repertoire, show it to me.
Played by a musicians artist. A bargain.

Average customer rating: Disappointing sound quality; frilly performance; GREAT cover! Mozart Sonatas for piano and violin Mozart Sontas Top notch! Great Daily Listening: Much Better than the Concert Performances!

Mozart: The Violin Sonatas Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus | ( M ) | 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 Mutter, Anne-Sophie | ( M ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Deutsche Grammophon: Music | Specialty Stores | Music Blowout Box Sets | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 20% Off | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus | ( M ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Mutter, Anne-Sophie | ( M ) | Performers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Instrumental | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Similar Items: Piano Trios Mozart: The Violin Concertos; Sinfonia Concertante Paganini: Violin Concerto No. 1; Spohr: Violin Concerto No. 8 Simply Anne-Sophie Russian Album ASIN: B000GETWQ8 Release Date: 2006-09-19

Tracks:

1. Allegro
2. Andante
3. Rondo (Allegretto grazioso)
4. Allegro
5. Rondeau (Andante grazioso)
6. Adagio - Allegro
7. Thema. Andantino cantabile - Var.I-V -Allegretto
8. Largo - Allegro
9. Andante
10. Allegretto

Tracks:

1. Allegro di molto
2. Tema con variazioni: Tema - Var. I/VI
3. Allegro moderato
4. Andantino sostenuto e cantabile
5. Rondo (Allegro)
6. Allegro con spirito
7. Allegro
8. Molto allegro
9. Adagio
10. Allegretto (con variazioni)

Tracks:

1. Allegro vivace
2. Andante sostenuto
3. Rondo (Allegro)
4. Allegro
5. Andante con moto
6. Rondeau (Allegro)
7. Andantino cantabile
8. Allegro
9. Tema (Andante) con variazioni
10. Allegro con spirito
11. Andantino cantabile
12. Allegretto

Tracks:

1. Adagio - Molto allegro
2. Tempo di minuetto
3. Allegro
4. Tema (Andante) con variazioni
5. Tempo di menuetto
6. Allegro
7. Tempo di minuetto
8. Allegro molto
9. Andante
10. Presto

Amazon.com

There are many excellent recordings of Mozart's Violin Sonatas on disc to choose from, but Anne-Sophie Mutter's interpretations rise quickly to the top. Her approach is certainly closer to "old fashioned" than "authentic instrument." She sings the lines as if they were arias and uses vibrato liberally to emphasize the unwritten texts. Her use of dynamics can be extreme, from a soft murmur to a full-blooded cry. There is a sense of warmth and even rapture in some of the slow movements that is absent from most of the "authentic" recordings. Mutter's vigorous approach to the allegros captures attention. Her great technique is most welcome in the formality of the menuettos. Lambert Orkis's piano accompaniments are handsome and supportive throughout, and his work as a fortepianist pays off well. He has an ingratiating touch and really shines in K. 454 and K. 481, where the piano is given equal footing with the violin. There are almost four-and-a-half hours of music here, and all of it is beautifully performed. --Robert Levine

Album Description

SPECIAL LIMITED EDITION DIGIPAK For the grand finale of her best-selling Mozart Project, Anne-Sophie Mutter has joined with pianist Lambert Orkis for her first-ever recording of Mozart's violin sonatas. Anne-Sophie Mutter's Mozart Project has been nothing if not ambitious. Her aim: a survey of all Mozart's major compositions for solo violin. The first two releases, the Violin Concertos and a selection of Piano Trios has both been commercial and critical successes around the world.

The final segment, the Violin Sonatas, is being released as part of Deutsche Grammophon's "Mozart Forever" celebrations. It will also mark an additional milestone: the 30th anniversary of Mutter's concert debut. This live CD recording took place during Mutter's performances in Munich in February 2006, which were also filmed for TV broadcast and DVD release.

Customer Reviews:

Disappointing sound quality; frilly performance; GREAT cover!.......2007-07-02

OK, so I bought this set because of the sexy cover photo. So shoot me. Listening to it I was struck by how difficult it seems to get a smooth, life-like recording of the violin on standard "Red Book" CDs.

Her playing is technically perfect, of course, but the styling is sometimes overdone to my taste. since listening to this set, I bought a classic vinyl set by Gruemaix (sp) in mono no less. I much prefer that.

Great cover photo!

Mozart Sonatas for piano and violin.......2007-05-07

As being played through Windows Media there is no visualization of album cover nor its programme on screen. The rest of this Deutshe Grammophon product is first class sound quality.

Mozart Sontas.......2007-03-26

Anne-Sophie Mutter's cd is one of the best I have experenced in a long time. It was well worth the money. I highly reccomend this CD to classical listeners around the world.

Top notch!.......2007-01-28

If you want violin, mozart, top notch world class interpretation, you want this ablum.

That's it.

Great Daily Listening: Much Better than the Concert Performances!.......2007-01-26

When Anne-Sophie Mutter and Lambert Orkis were in Boston last fall, I attended the concert that featured some of Mozart's violin sonatas from these recordings. While I enjoyed the immediacy of the live performance, I felt that Ms. Mutter tended to overwhelm Mr. Orkis both in volume and style. That was a shame because the piano parts in Mozart's violin sonatas are always at least as important as the violin parts. Having been a little disappointed, I was, however, wowed during the encores when suddenly a balance appeared. Ms. Mutter was quieter and more restrained and Mr. Orkis seemed less constrained. It was magical.

Thus encouraged, I bought a copy of this CD set, and both performers graciously autographed it.

On arriving home and turning the music on, I was stunned! This was much better music than I had just heard, even during the encores.

I don't recall ever enjoying a recording more than a live concert of the same music by the same performers, but there's no comparison in this case. Both Ms. Mutter and Mr. Orkis soar enthusiastically . . . while also retreating tactfully and touchingly where that's appropriate. The balance between the two performers is almost perfect.

Some people criticize Ms. Mutter for putting too much passion and personal style into classical works. In this case, there's a bit of restraint in delivering that passion and style that takes Mozart from being a composer from a prior century and transforms his music into a rewarding emotional presence now. The exuberance of his genius seems to flow from both performers as they provide a modern (but not too modern) interpretation of this exceptional music.

I find myself listening with new understanding to these sonatas virtually every day.

For Anne Sophie-Mutter fans, there's no doubt that this is one of her top five recordings. If you don't own it, you've missed a treat.

Average customer rating: Impeccable! The standard performance I still like Millstein better Very best Bach for solo violin Evocative Therapy Glenn Gould's violin counterpart

Bach: Sonatas & Partitas for Solo Violin Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon 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 Violin | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Deutsche Grammophon: Music | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: Bach: Sonatas for Unaccompanied Violin Bach: Complete Sonatas and Partitas for Solo Violin Paganini: 24 Caprices Bach: The Art of Fugue Bach: Sonatas and Partitas for Solo Violin ASIN: B000001GXY Release Date: 1997-04-15

Tracks:

1. Sonata no. 1 in G minor BWV 1001 - Adagio
2. Sonata no. 1 in G minor BWV 1001 - Fuga: Allegro
3. Sonata no. 1 in G minor BWV 1001 - Siciliana
4. Sonata no. 1 in G minor BWV 1001 - Presto
5. Partita no. 1 in B minor BWV 1002 - Allemanda
6. Partita no. 1 in B minor BWV 1002 - Double
7. Partita no. 1 in B minor BWV 1002 - Corrente
8. Partita no. 1 in B minor BWV 1002 - Double: Presto
9. Partita no. 1 in B minor BWV 1002 - Sarabande
10. Partita no. 1 in B minor BWV 1002 - Double
11. Partita no. 1 in B minor BWV 1002 - Tempo di Borea
12. Partita no. 1 in B minor BWV 1002 - Double
13. Sonata no. 2 in A minor BWV 1003 - Grave
14. Sonata no. 2 in A minor BWV 1003 - Fuga
15. Sonata no. 2 in A minor BWV 1003 - Andante
16. Sonata no. 2 in A minor BWV 1003 - Allegro

Tracks:

1. Partita no. 2 in D minor BWV 1004 - Allemanda
2. Partita no. 2 in D minor BWV 1004 - Corrente
3. Partita no. 2 in D minor BWV 1004 - Sarabanda
4. Partita no. 2 in D minor BWV 1004 - Giga
5. Partita no. 2 in D minor BWV 1004 - Ciaccona
6. Sonata no. 3 in C major BWV 1005 - Adagio
7. Sonata no. 3 in C major BWV 1005 - Fuga: Allabreve
8. Sonata no. 3 in C major BWV 1005 - Largo
9. Sonata no. 3 in C major BWV 1005 - Allegro assai
10. Partita no. 3 in E major BWV 1006 - Preludio
11. Partita no. 3 in E major BWV 1006 - Loure
12. Partita no. 3 in E major BWV 1006 - Gavotte en Rondeau
13. Partita no. 3 in E major BWV 1006 - Menuet I - Menuet II
14. Partita no. 3 in E major BWV 1006 - Bour
15. Partita no. 3 in E major BWV 1006 - Gigue

Customer Reviews:

Impeccable! The standard performance.......2007-04-20

Henryk Szeryng's "choked up", unembellished sound makes for a spot-on, highly profound and emotionally-charged interpretation. He really gets to the heart of the matter here that leaves all other performances of Bach's Sonatas and Partitas that I have heard in its wake.

I still like Millstein better.......2007-01-09

I have owned the Millstein recording on LP since ancient times. While Szering is excellent, I think Millstein has greater warmth and lyricism; his recording remains my first choice for these pieces.

Very best Bach for solo violin.......2006-04-10

It is not easy to meet a CD that listen over and over again these days. Recently I met it. When I listen the sample on the Amazon page the sound just caught me, "What is it?" "Different!".

Szeryng is not a present player, unfortunately he passed away for years ago. I am sorry I didn't know him until now. Because he spent his later life in Mexico, or he did not get a good manager, or he did not care about it, anyway he did not seem to get fame as he deserved it.

I like Bach solo violin set, especially the first sonata and the second partita. I have listened by some famouse violinists but I wonder I could meet beyond this in my rest of life.
In this CD, I love the first sonata, the first partita. Overall, the violin sound is brilliantly wonderful. I don't know why but when listening this CD the sound impresses me before music, that is not usual, I always care music before sound.

In Japan, his playing is often referred as great nobility or dignity, and he rarely makes mistakes, someone says the performance is like even silience after playing pleases me.

Evocative Therapy.......2005-10-30

Bach has always been a favorite and Szeryng an inspiration. I was a bit concerned with the Duetsche Grammaphone release, as I have heard many other artistical releases of dubious quality. But this one shines. I understand that Szeryng mastered these works very early in his career, his mastery is evident and haunting. A trip into the past, Szeryng shows his talent. It is such a blessing to be able to hear the masters performing masterworks, especially in the digital format that lends itself to hearing the whole release without interruption. It is most satisfying to retain that sort of connection with the music and the muscian.

Glenn Gould's violin counterpart.......2005-10-10

Szeryng's recording is outstanding. The main appeal of this recording for me was his ability to enunciate all the different voices of the Bach pieces. This is especially evident in his superb recording of the Chaconne. I am not surprised to see that many see this recording as close to Bach's text as possible. However, Szeryng has to do a lot of interpretation to get it to that state. If he was "only" sticking to the text, then why won't most other virtuosos follow this example? When I listen to Szeryng (this Bach recording over a thousand times), I never grow tired. It is true that when one first listens to it, it does not seem as remarkable as some other playings, but the beauty of Szeryng's playing is the purity and transcendence with which he plays Bach. Each measured, full and clear note rings with the heart-wrenching pathos evident in many of Bach's pieces.
Another advantage of Szeryng's recording is that he has pretty faithful tempo, no awkward pauses or lenghtenings for emotional effect. While this may render his playing seemingly unremarkable in the first few hearings, one quickly realizes the incredible richness and beauty. For example, if one reads Bach or plays Bach, one cannot help but imagine dramatic pauses, lengthenings, flourishes to fully convey the emotion that is in the pieces. However, when the piece is played literally to those "additions," the text is no longer pure Bach but a translated or filtered Bach. Any "emotional interpretation" of the listener is no longer based on Bach, but on that certain interpretation. Szeryng's virtuosity lies in his ability to play Bach faithfully and *beautifully, leaving the listener to appreciate and use the imagination. This, in my opinion after over a thousand listenings, is the reason why Szeryng has that lasting appeal.

Average customer rating: Wonderful and delightful evenings Great Music excellent compile Pleasant backdrop Musical soothing of the soul

Musical Evenings With The Captain Manufacturer: Essay ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Trios | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Boccherini | Boccherini, Luigi | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Handel | Handel, George Frideric | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Franz Joseph Haydn | Haydn, Franz Joseph | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Leclair | Leclair, Jean Marie | ( L ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Locatelli, Pietro Antonio | ( L ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Sonatas | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Trio Sonatas | Sonatas | 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 | Classical | Styles | Music Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music Similar Items: Musical Evenings With The Captain, Vol. 2 Musical Evenings in the Captain's Cabin Master and Commander A Sea of Words, Third Edition: A Lexicon and Companion to the Complete Seafaring Tales of Patrick O'Brian Harbors and High Seas, 3rd Edition : An Atlas and Geographical Guide to the Complete Aubrey-Maturin Novels of Patrick O'Brian, Third Edition ASIN: B00000083U Release Date: 1996-06-18

Tracks:

1. Sonata In G Major, Op. 5 No. 1 For 2 Violins & Basso Continuo: Andante
2. Sonata In G Major, Op. 5 No. 1 For 2 Violins & Basso Continuo: Largo Andante
3. Sonata In G Major, Op. 5 No. 1 For 2 Violins & Basso Continuo: Allegro
4. Sonata In G Major, Op. 5 No. 1 For 2 Violins & Basso Continuo: Menuetto & Trio: Vivace
5. Duet For Violin & Cello In D Major: Poco Adagio
6. Duet For Violin & Cello In D Major: Tempo di Menuetto
7. Duet For Violin & Cello In D Major: Allegro (non troppo)
8. Eight Pieces For Violin And Cello: Tuning & Gavotte
9. Eight Pieces For Violin And Cello: Two Menuets
10. Eight Pieces For Violin And Cello: Air
11. Eight Pieces For Violin And Cello: Menuet With 2 Variations
12. Eight Pieces For Violin And Cello: Impertinence
13. Eight Pieces For Violin And Cello: Sarabande
14. Eight Pieces For Violin And Cello: Menuet With 2 Variations
15. Eight Pieces For Violin And Cello: Air
16. Sonata In C Minor, Op. 6 No. 5 For Violin & Basso Continuo: Andante
17. Sonata In C Minor, Op. 6 No. 5 For Violin & Basso Continuo: Allegro
18. Sonata In C Minor, Op. 6 No. 5 For Violin & Basso Continuo: Aria with 3 Variations
19. Sonata For Violin & Cello In D Major: Allegretto Spiritoso
20. Sonata For Violin & Cello In D Major: Vivace
21. Sonata For Violin & Cello In D Major: Grave
22. Sonata For Violin & Cello In D Major: Allegro Assai
23. Sonata In D Minor For 2 Violins & Basso Continuo: Andante Molto Cantabile
24. Sonata In D Minor For 2 Violins & Basso Continuo: Allegro
25. Sonata In D Minor For 2 Violins & Basso Continuo: Andante Pastorale
26. Sonata In D Minor For 2 Violins & Basso Continuo: Allegro

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful and delightful evenings.......2007-06-27

If you are a really follower of Jack Aubrey adventures you must have the 2 Volumes. The best companion for you reading every evenings. A must have.
Enjoy it.

Great Music.......2007-04-05

I bought this as an accompaniment while I read Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey-Maturin series of books, and it goes very well. I've enjoyed every piece on this album, and recommend it for music lovers and readers alike.

excellent compile.......2007-01-16

It is dead-on excellent. Perfectly in tune with the entire series and spirit of Patrick's work. A simply joy to listen to time after time. You grasp the character of the age in crisply performed versions of various collection.

Pleasant backdrop .......2006-01-10

As a child growing up in the city of Salem, known for it's working class backbone, I was the only kid I knew who had been to Symphony Hall more than Fenway Park. Going in to Boston for the symphony's open practices was what I lived for. It gave me a true appreciative, although untrained ear. The one lasting lesson is that while you may not notice good classical music, EVERYONE notices bad classical music. And this is NOT bad classical.

I have been a reader of the Aubrey Maturin Novels for 8 years (only two a year for dramatic suspense) and while I am a huge fan of Patrick O'Brian's writing, I find that with the addition of the music he scored his work to, I stand in awe. The music is well grounded to the situations and feelings in the book. Either Mr. O'Brian was a very well rounded, or he did his homework.

The CD is a wonderful insight to the author, and the characters he created. Pour a glass of claret, listen to the cd, read the books...

but pay no heed to Killick's "scrape, scrape , scrape..never a song you could dance to.."

Musical soothing of the soul.......2002-06-11

I have been a fan of Baroque music since childhood (and I'm not all that old either). But I've only started reading the Patrick O'Brian books in the last few months, since it was announced that my favorite actor, Russell Crowe, was about to star as Captain Jack Aubrey in the Peter Weir movie. I am reading the books in order, and am currently on "HMS Surprise," so what else could be a more perfect accompaniment than this CD? Aubrey is such a multi-layered character, filled with imperfections and bad puns, however he has a great love for music and he plays the violin quite well. Often paired with ship's surgeon Dr. Stephen Maturin on the cello, music is a great release for this sea captain, and the pieces on this CD are fine representations of what Aubrey might have played while on assignment or heard when on land. The selections by Hadyn, Locatelli, Handel, Boccherini and Leclair are pleasant, soothing compositions that are complex and varied enough that they are not redundant, and range from peaceful to nimble. While listening to the CD, I could vividly imagine Jack Aubrey below decks in his cabin and asking Maturin to strike up a tune with him. And then they begin an Andante or an Allegro, allowing Aubrey to set aside his absolutely awful puns and jokes so he can clear his mind and relax. Considering some of the battles he's involved himself in so far in the series, he definitely needs it. Reading his adventures while listening to these charming pieces will relax you as well, and definitely take your imagination to some wondrous places in an era of great change.

Average customer rating: Julia Fischer performs J.S.Bach's Sonatas and Partitas for Solo Violin Thoughtful Readings Bach by Julia Fischer very good. What a Surprise!

J.S. Bach: Sonatas and Partitas for Solo Violin, BWV 1001-1006 Manufacturer: Pentatone 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 Classical | Imports | Stores | Music Blowout Box Sets | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 20% Off | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Bach, Johann Sebastian | ( B ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Instrumental | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Similar Items: Russian Violin Concertos [Hybrid SACD] Mozart: Violin Concertos Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto (Hybr) Mozart: Flute Concertos; Rondo; Andante [Includes the Bis 2005 Catalog] [Hybrid SACD] Mozart, W.A.: Violin Concertos Nos. 1, 2 & 5 ASIN: B00097HE8U Release Date: 2005-06-14

Customer Reviews:

Julia Fischer performs J.S.Bach's Sonatas and Partitas for Solo Violin.......2007-05-07

In March I heard Julia Fischer playing Khachaturian's violin concerto at a concert at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. She is such a wonderful violinist that soon after I got home I checked what other performance of hers would be available from Amazon. When I saw this CD I promptly ordered it. Because on this CD she plays without an orchestra, her virtuosity is even more obvious and superb than in the concertos where she is accompanied by a full orchestra. I recommend this CD to everybody who likes the violin music of J.S.Bach!

Thoughtful Readings.......2007-01-09

Bach's unaccompanied sonatas and partitas for solo violin can act as multiple litmus tests, mercilessly revealing a player's cultural, temperamental, intellectual, and technical selves. That is certainly the case with Julia Fischer's set. It shows her to be technically proficient and thoughtful in regard to the structures and, to some degree, the expressive (affective) content of these works. But it also tells the world that she is still a young artist, and that she may have more to say about this music -- and the temerity to say it -- after she's been around a while longer.

Listeners contemplating the purchase of yet another Bach Unaccompanied set will also have to look to their own tastes in deciding whether Fischer fits the bill. Have you long since acquired, and exhausted, the classic Milstein performances? Did you find Perlman nicely polished, or just a bit too slick? Did you respond well to Kremer's impetuosity and drama, or consider his approach overly rough and improvisatory?

In the liner notes, Ms. Fischer tells us that for years she has warmed up every day with these pieces. It shows. She is obviously familiar with them, and her technical security and sense of "what comes next" have benefited. But with familiarity comes a certain complacency, and warmups can encourage a performer to emphasize sheer mechanics: pitch accuracy, evenly smooth bowing, perfect finger coordination, etc. That is what I personally hear as a guiding principle in most of these interpretations. They are soft-edged, maintaining steady tempi, using the middle third of the bow, employing subtle and consistent accents, phrasing, and dynamic emphases.

Nothing wrong with those choices. In many aspects, they may lie closer than some others to what Bach had in mind. But I found myself respecting Fischer's efforts rather than becoming involved in the music itself. In the end I went back to Hilary Hahn's debut disc (which includes some but not all of these works) in order to hear controlled and thoughtful Bach performances with more passion, more bite (bowing at the frog when needed), and more overall humanity.

The SACD recording is quite good, but if anything it emphasizes the mellow, moderated quality of these performances with a violin timbre that is never unpleasant but seldom provides the range of colors that one might hope to hear, even in Bach. Especially in Bach?

I think Ms. Fischer is heard to better advantage in her Pentatone recording of the Russian concertos -- maybe she didn't feel a "Romantic" approach was as appropriate for Baroque music. The result sounds curiously old-fashioned, however, especially given the recent tendency in historically informed Baroque performance to emphasize drama and individualistic expression (e.g., Rachel Podger, Andrew Manze). By comparison, Julia Fischer's Bach comes off as a careful effort by a recent conservatory graduate. Still worth hearing, but perhaps more as an emblem of her undeniable promise.

Bach by Julia Fischer.......2006-08-04

You must listen to this with SACD kit to do justice to the recording. OK CD layer is not too bad but with sensitive equipment you can hear so much more with the SACD it is unbelievable.
She is one of the best performers of Bach solo pieces if not the best. Milstein, Kagan, Grumiaux, Perlman are good. But she is something else. Timing, fluidity, expression I can go on and on. This is the most "musical" interpretation of these pieces I have heard so far.

very good........2006-06-11

At first I was stunned on how good it was to listen to these pieces in a great format as SACD. However, miss Fischer should pay more attention to the details instead of get every note just right. There aren't huge mistakes, which makes it worthy, but it isn't perfect. The booklet says that she's quite young to perform all of this pieces and I believe it's true. She can improve in the future.

What a Surprise!.......2006-03-09

I never thought this young violinist could play Bach in such a matured way. My version at home was Milstein, Szegeti, Kremer (not very good), and Grumiaux. But Julia Fischer's Bach has won so much praise and I just wonder why. Therefore I bought this pricy double SACD (no ordinary CD available).

I was surprised. It doesn't sound like she is young at all. According to Fisher, she played Bach every day. And she has been studying Bach since she was a little girl. No wonder she has attended to the details of it. The speed she took was relatively slow, especially for the Preludes and Sarabande. Her technique was impeccable, but it all sounded so natural. I once listened to Heifitz and I didn't quite like it. It sounded not like Bach. Fisher surely captured the elegance and warmth of one of Bach's most intelligent and intellectual works.

If you like Bach's Unaccompanied Sonata and Partita for Solo Violin, buy this. You won't regret. The recording quality was superb, too!

Average customer rating: High praise for Perlman and Barinboim Mozart at its best Wonderful to re-listen to these works. Simply Amazing! Perlman and Barenboim

Mozart: The Violin Sonatas Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus | ( M ) | 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 Perlman, Itzhak | ( P ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Deutsche Grammophon: Music | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: Mozart: Piano Sonatas Beethoven: The Violin Sonatas Mozart: Violin Concertos Mozart: Complete String Trios & Duos Mozart: The Six String Quintets ASIN: B00004SA87 Release Date: 2003-10-28

Tracks:

1. Sonata In G Major K. 301
2. Sonata In E Flat Major K. 302
3. Sonata In C Major K. 303
4. Sonata In A Major K. 305
5. Sonata In C Major K. 296
6. Sonata In E Minor K. 304
7. Sonata In D Major K. 306
8. Sonata In B Flat Major K. 378
9. Sonata In G Major K.379
10. Sonata In F Major K. 376
11. Sonata In E Flat Major K. 380
12. Sonata In B Flat Major K. 454
13. Sonata In E Flat Major K. 481
14. Sonata In A Major K. 526
15. Sonata In F Major K. 547

Customer Reviews:

High praise for Perlman and Barinboim.......2007-01-12

Best four CD's in my collection. Great material and wonderful performanc.!

Mozart at its best.......2006-08-28

This CD is an excellent introduction to Mozart's violin sonata's. Both artists are superb and play so very well together. I would highly recommend it.

Wonderful to re-listen to these works. .......2006-01-17

Many years ago, I owned, on vinyl, Mozart's Violin Sonatas. I don't remember the artists; however, I DO remember enjoying them immensely. Therefore, when the opportunity came with this recording to restore the complete Violin Sonatas by Mozart to my CD collection, I "jumped" at the chance. After all, this is Mozart's two-hundredth fifieth birthday; plus the recording is at a ridiculously low price, and MOST OF ALL, the recording features the esteemed musical team of Perlman and Barenboim--WHAT could be better than that? Please be advised, that my expectations have been fully realized and in actuality, they have been surpassed-the music is far more beautiful than I remember with Perlman and Barenboim making an exquisite musical team playing Mozart's gorgeous Violin Sonatas beautifully and sensitively!

If you love Mozart and want to hear some beautiful works played by masters of their respective instruments(at an unbelievable price) buy this CD collection. You will love it! The sound is great too belying the age of the recordings. They sound, to me, as if they were recorded very recently. In other words, great transfers to the CD format!

Simply Amazing!.......2005-04-10

This is a simply amazing recording. I was actually first introduced to some of these pieces that had been transcribed into clarinet duets. They are excellent for that medium, but they are absolutely brilliant in their original form as violin sonatas!

Perlman's playing is wonderful. At times it seems (to my untrained ear) that he may use a bit too much vibrato (or perhaps it's just too fast), though I'm not familiar with classical violin playing conventions, so this may be the proper way. Nonetheless, his tone is still rich and full and his technique is flawless. The pianist's playing is clear and accurate, and the two musicians make a perfect team (both technically and stylistically).

I'm not quite sure how these pieces fit into Mozarts body of work (stylistically, chronologically), but to me, they seem to have a youthful energy and vibrance that I've not heard in his later clarinet works. You will really enjoy them!

Perlman and Barenboim.......2005-03-17

...are incredible. I'm sure there is no one that would oppose this statement about Itzhak Perlman, but some say that Barenboim Beethovenizes Mozart. As a pianist myself, I strongly disagree. These recordings are very good. Sound quality is very nice. Highly recommended.

Track Listings:

1. Songs, Lieder & Cantatas
2. Songs of Hildegard Von Bingen
3. Songs of Hugo Wolf
4. Songs to Poems from "Des Knaben Wunderhorn"
5. Strauss: Emperor's Waltz
6. Strauss Family Masterpieces
7. Symphony in D minor/Poeme for Violin and Orchestra/Ballade for Piano and Orchestra
8. Symphony No. 4
9. Telefunken Polydor & Parlophone
10. The World of Singing, Vol. 1: The Castrato Voice & The Old School (1899-1913)

Track Listings

track listings

Track Listings

Pop and Rock Divas for Dummies

Sweet Peace

The Legend, Vol. 3

Ofrendas

There for None to See [Import]

Talk Show

Space Ghost's Musical Bar-B-Que: Featuring 25 Hickory-Smoked Harmonies (Television Soundtrack)

Puccini - Turandot / Marton · Carreras · Ricciarelli · Maazel [Highlights]

The Essential Dolly Parton One: I Will Always Love You

Sweet Thing/It's All Good

Suedehead: The Best of Morrissey [Import] [Original recording remastered]

Thing-Fish [Import] [Limited Edition]

Something for the Weekend [Import]

Rise Up

Leaders of the Free World