The ONE Beethoven Violin Sonata Cycle to Rule Them All!

[Gurn Blanston]

Since MN Dave is off to such a nice start on this road, I wanted to get some feedback on my own particular interest. I asked permission to use Dave's copyrighted title, and after paying only a small royalty, I pose this question to the group:

What is the ONE Beethoven violin sonata cycle to rule them all? 

[mn dave]

I don't know about favorite, but I own Szeryng/Haebler.

[Todd]

This one is easier than the others:




You may now lock the thread.

You're welcome.

[Daverz]

My favorite up to now has been the ancient Francescatti/Cadasesus set, but I wanted a recording with more modern sonics.  I'm still working my way thru Barati/Wurtz, and so far it's excellent.  One of the Amazon reviews complains about the balances, but I think the balance is fine; they must have been expecting a thunderous up-front piano sound.  Edit: oops, the complaint is the other way around, but I still think the balances are fine.
[asin]B008L62WWE[/asin]

[Gurn Blanston]

Francescatti/Cadasesus  1
Baráti/Wurtz                 1
Szeryng/Haebler            1


I'll take your good advice under consideration, Todd...

[Daverz]

Francescatti/Cadasesus  1
Baráti/Wurtz                 1
Szeryng/Haebler            1


I'll take your good advice under consideration, Todd...

That should be 2 votes for F/C, but these are not works for which I've listened to a lot of other interpretations.

[kishnevi]

Faust/Melnikov

[torut]

Faust/Melnikov

+1
I was just about to post. It is very good. I have one Kremer/Argerich, but prefer Faust/Melnikov.

[Dancing Divertimentian]

Kremer/Argerich

[Ken B]

Not music I go to very often. But ... Heifitz/Bay over any of the 4 or 5 traversals I have heard, which includes Szeryng Haebler, also good.

[aquablob]

This one is easier than the others:




You may now lock the thread.

You're welcome.

+1

[Que]

This one is easier than the others:



You may now lock the thread.

You're welcome.

Might be well worth considering, which I will.

My favourites so far:

Suk and Panenka, apparently not universally loved, but I think these are wonderful Old World performances. (Which I imagine Francescatti/ Casadesus to be as well)

[asin]B0072A4EZ8[/asin]


And period instruments, but not quite, since the Rosenberger grand piano used is from 1845. Still, the playing by Leertouwer and Reynolds is definitely historically informed and the Rosenberger is actually one of the most beautiful sounding (forte)pianos I know. 



Previous comments:

http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php/topic,214.msg250326.html#msg250326

[king ubu]

Wow, this isn't easy ... these were among the very first pieces I really indulged in when getting started, two years ago, and I've amassed quite a few wonderful recordings by now.

Francescatti/Casadesus, Grumiaux/Haskil pop up immediately ... and yeah, Faust/Melnikov are good, too ... there's also Fritz Kreisler of course!
Ferras/Barbizet are very good too, Heifetz and Menuhin somewhat less so I find (of the later, I've heard the recordings with Kentner and with Kempff - fond of Op. 96 in the later recording!). As with others, Stern/Istomin are great in some sonatas, less good in other ... the cherry thing is the "Kreutzer" of course, and there, the medal for the single very best goes to Szigeti/Bartók, and quite easily so! And Szigeti's whole run with Arrau from 1944 is terrific as well, though as the one with Bartók is less than good sound. Guess second best Kreutzer would then be Kopatchinskaja/Say, but I can't see them do whole cycle. Regarding other more recent recordings, I think Midori Seiler is doing great, but Immerseel is lame and clogging - really letting her down. I with Zehetmair had done the whole run! The two with Malcolm Frager are great!

put my vote down for: Francescatti/Casadesus

[Gurn Blanston]

Francescatti/Cadasesus  4
Szeryng/Haebler            1
Faust/Melnikov              2
Kremer/Argerich           1
Heifetz/Bay                   1
Suk /Panenka               1


Think I got them all!

Boy, you guys sure like old stuff. I've held off voting for Kremer/Argerich so far because they seem sort of old to me already! 

[Brahmsian]

Kremer/Argerich + 9,999,999 

Can't believe this one isn't far ahead!

[Sergeant Rock]

Mutter/Orkis




Sarge

[AnthonyAthletic]

Another dream team of Grumiaux & Haskil is my favourite but its close with many of the afore mentioned.  Anyone for Perlman & Ashkenazy?

[mn dave]

Francescatti/Cadasesus  4

Added to wish list.

[Gurn Blanston]

Kremer/Argerich + 9,999,999 

Can't believe this one isn't far ahead!

Is that a vote, Ray? 

[Gurn Blanston]

Francescatti/Cadasesus  4
Szeryng/Haebler            1
Faust/Melnikov              2
Kremer/Argerich           2
Heifetz/Bay                   1
Suk /Panenka               1
Mutter/Orkis                 1
Grumiaux & Haskil        1