good recording of Bartok's Violin Sonatas

[Todd]

Oh, and let it be known, I like my Bartok rough!

Then you should probably avoid Bartok's recordings of his own music.  He wasn't quite so rough.

As to good recordings of the sonatas, the Tetzlaff/Andsnes is superb but perhaps not rough enough.  Jando/Pauk on Naxos is one of the better releases on that label, and well worth hearing.  A bit on the rougher side, but not necessarily in the way you're looking for, is Denes Zsigmondy and Anneliesse Nisse on Klavier.  And of course for the second sonata there is the above average rendition by Bartok and Szigeti in more than acceptable sound.  My first choice for both works together nowadays is Tetzlaff/Andsnes.

[Dancing Divertimentian]

The Good-Music-Guide recommends ONLY the Robert Mann, which I've never seen.

The Mann recording is available at Bartok Records (scroll to the very bottom).

This particular article is pretty brutal against everyone else.

The article would have to be pretty brutal indeed not to say anything good about Kremer/Argerich in sonata no.1 and Mutter/Orkis in no.2, both of whom are on the 'rough' side while maintaining lyrical equilibrium. I haven't heard Mann.

[Mandryka]

Then you should probably avoid Bartok's recordings of his own music.  He wasn't quite so rough.

Szigeti isn't slick.

[Peregrine]

As an aside, I notice Harry Collier posting earlier in this thread. Haven't seen him post in a very long time, anyone know if he's OK, or have contact with him?

[Scarpia]

As an aside, I notice Harry Collier posting earlier in this thread. Haven't seen him post in a very long time, anyone know if he's OK, or have contact with him?

Did you send a PM?

[Todd]

Szigeti isn't slick.

I was referring to Bartok.  Hence the use of the name Bartok.

[Scarpia]

I thought I had them, but I see my Mullova disc only includes #1.  I'm thinking of supplementing with Mutter's recording, which is paired with something by Penderecki.

[ccar]

For me, Martha Argerich's renditions of the Bartok's violin & piano sonata No.1 - with Gidon Kremer (DG studio 1988 or EMI live 2006) and with Renaud Capuçon (EMI live 2007)  - are very impressive examples of interpretative freedom and real artistry. 



The sonata No.2 is always dominated by the magical fire of the Szigetti/Bartok's 1940 recital. And there are a number of other "classical" readings already mentioned.
But for those who venture to explore I would also recommend an "unexpected" live recording of Ferras and Barbizet (1960 INA).     

[ccar]

Fact is, the search for ANY Enescu performances from his early days as a violinist is easier said than done. After three years and--ultimately--the great kindness of an online friend, I was able to get a copy of the old Philips set that included Enescu and Lipatti doing Enescu's suite #1 op.3 (excerpts), suite #2  op.10 (excerpts), sonata #3 op.25, sonata #2 op.6, suite #1 op.9, bourree from suite #2 for piano op.10--plus some piano stuff with Lipatti alone. But that's the extent of Enescu-does-Enescu that I've been able to find.
I did finally obtain a copy of the still-OOP Biddulph CD of Enescu's complete Columbia recordings (why didn't Biddulph reissue this during its recent renaissance?), though this doesn't include him doing his own works. I also have the Bach double concerto with Menuhin, the Chausson poeme, the later and widely-available recording of Bach sonatas and partitas, and a rather sad late live performance of the Beethoven concerto, though the less said about that the better.
And that's it.
Maybe someone else here (you, JdP? Harry Collier? Cheniston? others?) will reveal an Enescu treasure trove that's eluded me...I've heard rumors of some private and radio recordings, and one can always hope...but I haven't found much beyond what I've listed above.

Please forgive us if these comments are out of the topic. But as a fan and avid collector of Enesco's (too few) recordings, I would add some other rare recordings to those already mentioned - Beethoven's Kreutzer and Schumann's violin sonata No.2 (1952, Opus Kura OPK 7009). I believe the late live Beethoven concerto you refer is the one also issued by Biddulph - live 1949, Biddulph LAB 108 - which also includes Bach's violin concerto No.2 and the Fugue from Bach's violin G minor sonata.

As you said most of the Enesco's recordings were done too late, when his technique was not in its prime. But for those who are not too imprisioned by sound and intonation issues, the expressiveness and musical insight of Enescu may be an unique experience.  And also very interesting are the few recordings of Enescu as a conductor. Any impressions ?   

[Todd]

But for those who venture to explore I would also recommend an "unexpected" live recording of Ferras and Barbizet (1960 INA).     

Now that is an interesting looking recording.  (As to Argerich, I dare say Volume III of her complete DG recordings will be out this year, which should make a cheap, easy way to gather her chamber recordings in one shot.)

[Dancing Divertimentian]

I thought I had them, but I see my Mullova disc only includes #1.  I'm thinking of supplementing with Mutter's recording, which is paired with something by Penderecki.

Mutter's recording of the second sonata is coupled with Penderecki's violin concerto, though inexplicably the second sonata ISN'T listed on the disc's cover.

But Mullova, though, AFAIK, has never recorded the first sonata (at least commercially).

[Scarpia]

Mutter's recording of the second sonata is coupled with Penderecki's violin concerto, though inexplicably the second sonata ISN'T listed on the disc's cover.

But Mullova, though, AFAIK, has never recorded the first sonata (at least commercially).

Yes, that is the disc currently in my shopping cart.  You are correct about Mullova.  The recording I was thinking of is the sonata for solo violin, not the sonata for violin and piano.

[Scarpia]

For what it's worth, I put in an order for the Tetzlaff recording.

[cosmicj]

I have the Isaac Stern CD mentioned several times earlier on this thread.  I listened to it intensively about a decade ago and think the performance is very average, with intonation issues on Stern's part.  I also have the Isabelle Faust CD and think it is only slightly better than the Stern.  Glad to hear about the Tetzlaff CD, which I will get when I begin to listen to these very interesting pieces again.

[Mandryka]

Has anyone heard the Mann CD here? I'm feeling tempted.

[Daverz]

The Third Ear Guide really likes the Kremer recordings with Argerich (No. 1 on DG) and Maisenberg (No. 2).  The latter is still available:

http://www.mdt.co.uk/MDTSite/product//2564693696.htm

[Josquin des Prez]

This rather famous recording with Bartok and Szigeti is well worth having.


There's a story that Szigeti met Bartok off the boat when he moved to America and told him they were playing a concert in a few days. "What's the programme?" asked Bartok ""Oh," replied Szigeti, "Kreutzer, Debussy and a couple of your thngs."

And here it is.

I have the complete recordings of Bartok on piano, and i think the whole set is worth having. He may not have been the greatest virtuoso in existence, but his interpretations could be extremely penetrating. 

[Tyson]

I have Tetzlaff and Andsnes and think it is pretty fantastic, but I don't know whether it will satisfy your final criterion  .  But it's a superb recording.



--Bruce

Seconded!  This is a great recording, angular and intense.

[snyprrr]

I have Tetzlaff and Andsnes and think it is pretty fantastic, but I don't know whether it will satisfy your final criterion  .  But it's a superb recording.



--Bruce

Looks like the consensus is... Tetzlaff!! Just ordered. How can it NOT be the shiznit?? Plus, thankfully, the Solo Sonata instead of Contrasts!!

I have Paul/Naxos, which, frankly, I can't see anything wrong with, but the music just doesn't do it for me, I dunno, maybe I don't like my spritely violin to be in such thorny places?? Hopefully Tetzlaff will remedy the situation.

[snyprrr]

For what it's worth, I put in an order for the Tetzlaff recording.

I just heard this! WOW!! Excellent, tight, crisp,... yes, pretty clean, but I am tempted to say nigh well perfect. Are the Kremer/HUNGAROTON VERY MUCH GRITTER?  Woah, sorry,... This team is so very tight and good,...

Comparing with my looong held Naxos, wow, what a difference. Take the final mvmts. from both pieces. If you hadn't had heard the Virgin, the Naxos sounds fine, but as soon as you hear these guys,... splaaat! Also, the first mvmt. of No.1 is like night and day. Andsnes is the star here for me, though Tetzlaff is just as good. They just sooo work as a team, and play very crisp tempos. The Naxos recording melts by comparison: yes, this Virgin disc's sound is dark marine blue all the way!

I have so wanted something to compare with Josefowicz/Philips in the Solo Sonata, because I had always thought there a problem with her tuning, or something, but, Tetzlaff backs up her side of the story. The two are very similar at first hearing, though Josefowicz has even more glorious sound. I was surprised how good she sounds next to Tetzlaff. She's the one taking faster speeds; Tetzlaff, however, yields nothing (he gets the nod in the finale), and both performances seem to be in the same ballpark. I've always wondered about Mullova vs Josefowicz here, both being on Philips. I imagine Faust in the same room too.

Tetzlaff and Andsnes are on fire, though, and, as a team, they are fierce. And, it is great to have the Solo Sonata instead of Contrasts (sorry Karl). Total Package Deal!


ok, btw,... I never understood until today why I never cared for these pieces, but, the music is such, I think, that the way Jando and Pauk play it on Naxos, plus the... pretty good... sound, I dunno, it just has a dreary EasternEuropean sound to me, very much Shoenbergian or wotnot, purposefully ugly. But then I hear the Virgin, and woof, they are pretty much new pieces (like I said, especially the finales). I ALWAYS KNEW I WOULD,...again!,... i would find a compare to the Naxos. Perhaps I will also try Faust, or Mutter, or Kremer. As played by the Virgin team, these pieces are Hot Shot Rock nRoll/ Deep Purple type vechicles of virtuosity. No.1's jagged unorthodoxy shines in this performance.

I'm raving. Bravo!