Favored recordings for solo violin.

Bogey · December 31, 2009, 06:29:09 AM

Any era welcomed. Thanks!

The new erato · December 31, 2009, 06:59:19 AM

And Carl Nielsen's on a recently issued Dacapo disc.

And Ysaye.

Bogey · December 31, 2009, 07:12:05 AM

Quote from: James on December 31, 2009, 06:44:26 AM
Bach & Bartók.

Which specific recordings, James?

hornteacher · December 31, 2009, 07:37:45 AM

Big surprise from me but this is really a great recording. It was her first release. She was 15 years old and still at Curtis.

Carolus · December 31, 2009, 08:14:22 AM

Bach: first Szering
Paganini caprices: First Ricci (1947)
Paganini "nel cor piu.." Mullova
Bartok: Andre Gertler
Ysaye:Franz Zimmermann
Eckhardt-Gramatté caprices:Jasper Wood
Ben-Haim sonata: Francescatti
Honneger sonata: Ferras

Brian · December 31, 2009, 08:56:13 AM

Bill, I just LOVE solo violin music - even prefer it to violin and piano!

Somebody else will be along to talk about the best albums of Paganini and Ysaye, but to my mind the Ysaye is an absolute essential - I had the joy of seeing a live performance of all 6 solo violin sonatas, a truly staggering achievement by a doctoral student here at Rice. The Ysaye works are the ultimate violinist's workout, with some really extreme and dazzling emotional variety. Only recording I know is Ilya Kaler (very good), but others will probably know better ones.

For an alternative to Paganini's caprices, check out the wonderful salon music of Charles-Auguste de Beriot. I'd take it over the empty technical exercises of Paganini any day - Beriot is a total charmer and his solo violin music are undiscovered gems. This release is one of my 2009 CDs of the year:

Bella Hristova is a phenomenal violinist - a ceaseless pleasure to listen to, and we'll be hearing a lot from her in the coming decades!

Brian · December 31, 2009, 09:02:49 AM

In all fairness, and in the spirit of full disclosure, I should probably mention that my relationship to Bella Hristova is rather similar to hornteacher's relationship to Hilary Hahn. IE, please be single, Bella!

this image doesn't seem to be displaying properly so a link: Clearly the artist there has absolutely no idea how people play violins ... or thinks she is holding a cello ...

Lethevich · December 31, 2009, 09:30:41 AM

Quote from: Brian on December 31, 2009, 09:02:49 AM
this image doesn't seem to be displaying properly so a link: Clearly the artist there has absolutely no idea how people play violins ... or thinks she is holding a cello ...

It's tempting to be a bitch say that he has problems with drawing as well as grasping the function of violins, but it looks like it was just a quick half hour job. Is that a self portrait in the background?

Maciek · December 31, 2009, 10:04:27 AM

Not exactly the same thing, but there's also this thread.

Mandryka · December 31, 2009, 10:12:01 AM

Szigeti's Bach

http://www.youtube.com/v/MRWntaMyVFg

Carolus · December 31, 2009, 12:09:00 PM

If you've Szigety on LP, on Ebay it can reach 3 figures.

hornteacher · December 31, 2009, 01:13:10 PM

Quote from: Brian on December 31, 2009, 09:02:49 AM
In all fairness, and in the spirit of full disclosure, I should probably mention that my relationship to Bella Hristova is rather similar to hornteacher's relationship to Hilary Hahn. IE, please be single, Bella!

Ah you have excellent taste, sir. I love it when talent and beauty come in the same package.

dirkronk · December 31, 2009, 01:26:17 PM

Quote from: Carolus on December 31, 2009, 12:09:00 PM
If you've Szigety on LP, on Ebay it can reach 3 figures.

Interesting. I do indeed have it on LP, but it really doesn't matter. I'm not giving it up.

Dirk

Cristofori · December 31, 2009, 02:31:25 PM

Quote from: dirkronk on December 31, 2009, 01:26:17 PM
Interesting. I do indeed have it on LP, but it really doesn't matter. I'm not giving it up.

Dirk

I've seen a few other artists solo Cello/Violin music by Bach on near mint original LP go for three figures (or close to it) as well. Like, Fournier, Bylsma, Mullova, Starker, etc.

Definitely a hot field as far as classical LP's go!

Cristofori · December 31, 2009, 02:37:20 PM

This remains my favorite in terms of performance and sound so far.

I recently got Mullova's renditions on Philips CD but I haven't had a chance to really get to know them yet.

Bogey · December 31, 2009, 02:39:54 PM

Quote from: Cristofori on December 31, 2009, 02:31:25 PM
I've seen a few other artists solo Cello/Violin music by Bach on near mint original LP go for three figures (or close to it) as well. Like, Fournier, Bylsma, Mullova, Starker, etc.

Definitely a hot field as far as classical LP's go!

Or you could buy a new lp for half that.

Cristofori · December 31, 2009, 02:42:59 PM

Quote from: hornteacher on December 31, 2009, 07:37:45 AM
Big surprise from me but this is really a great recording. It was her first release. She was 15 years old and still at Curtis.

Ah! My first ever recording of these works! I bought it new when it first came out, and I still enjoy it and it holds sentimental value, but alas, it is no longer my favorite.

I feel that Hahn's playing here is a bit lethargic in a few places, especially in the Chaconne, which clocks in at almost a full three minutes longer than most other modern violinists renditions.

But you can't really fault her playing at her age and experience at the time, which was a phenomenal to say the least.

Cristofori · December 31, 2009, 02:50:30 PM

Quote from: Bogey on December 31, 2009, 02:39:54 PM
Or you could buy a new lp for half that.

That Accardo/Bach LP you will soon be getting may fetch well into the three figures some day.

Take good care of it!

Bogey · December 31, 2009, 02:56:50 PM

Quote from: Cristofori on December 31, 2009, 02:50:30 PM
That Accardo/Bach LP you will soon be getting may fetch well into the three figures some day.

Take good care of it!

I ordered it on the 29th....it arrived this morning.

Just finished it up and loved it.

Bogey · December 31, 2009, 03:02:55 PM

Quote from: Cristofori on December 31, 2009, 02:37:20 PM

This remains my favorite in terms of performance and sound so far.

I recently got Mullova's renditions on Philips CD but I haven't had a chance to really get to know them yet.

I like how all three Partitas are included and this disc that she plays on is a favorite of many here: