Bach's Violin Sonatas & Partitas (solo)

[North Star]

Beyer plays Ciaconna live: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHjvlFwh6Dw
Mullova's Ciaconna: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uB14amsM3jo

[asin]B001SB1KHW[/asin]

[SonicMan46]

Interesting that this thread 'popped up'!

I'm on a short trip to Richmond, VA - we saw Wicked yesterday; but that morning I was in the fitness center on a treadmill listening to music from my iPod - well, the recording below was playing - believe that this has received a number of positive reviews in the forum in previous threads.  Matthews was originally from my hometown of Winston-Salem - went to the UNC School of the Arts, where her parents taught.  Own about a half dozen recordings of these works, including Mullova, but have not done any comparisons - 

[Marc]

Interesting that this thread 'popped up'!

I'm on a short trip to Richmond, VA - we saw Wicked yesterday; but that morning I was in the fitness center on a treadmill listening to music from my iPod - well, the recording below was playing - believe that this has received a number of positive reviews in the forum in previous threads. Matthews was originally from my hometown of Winston-Salem - went to the UNC School of the Arts, where her parents taught.  Own about a half dozen recordings of these works, including Mullova, but have not done any comparisons -

Well, it's been some time since I last listened to Matthews's Bach, but I do recall a very refined performance, with an emotional strength coming from within.

[bumtz]

I like Oleg Kagan's live recordings made not long before his death, issued on Warner (originally on Erato). Might be not the most note-perfect Bach out there, but very emotional with beautiful deep sound (not captured that well on this recording, unfortunately). Can be obtained rather cheap at the UK Amazon: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bach-Solo-Violin-Sonatas-Partitas/dp/B0018RAMBQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1318264567&sr=8-1 with samples available.   

[Josquin des Prez]

I still prefer Enescu over any other, even though he was decrepit, arthritic and half deaf when he recorded them. Beyond that, Milstein's original set is hard to beat.

[jlaurson]

I still prefer Enescu over any other, even though he was decrepit, arthritic and half deaf when he recorded them. Beyond that, Milstein's original set is hard to beat.

Milstein's 'original' set? On EMI? The scratchy one he himself spoke of derisively?

[Josquin des Prez]

Milstein's 'original' set? On EMI? The scratchy one he himself spoke of derisively?

Yes. He gets the rhythm and counterpoint right. I care not for all the superfluous "qualities" later violinists brought to the table, including Milstein's own more "thoughtful" and technically accomplished (read: boring) second attempt in the 70s. It seems the majority of performers don't seem to understand that with Bach its best to simply stay out of the way and let the harmony speak for itself.

[Antoine Marchand]

Usually I don't see any comment on Elizabeth Wallfisch's interpretation of the sonatas & partitas for solo violin. Is it worth it? Thanks in advance. 

[Kontrapunctus]

Usually I don't see any comment on Elizabeth Wallfisch's interpretation of the sonatas & partitas for solo violin. Is it worth it? Thanks in advance. 

I've suffered through two in which she squeaked and sawed her way through a few of them at the Carmel Bach Festival. Perhaps she is now past her prime and that CD captured her in better times, but I wouldn't listen to it if someone gave it to me!

[Bulldog]

Usually I don't see any comment on Elizabeth Wallfisch's interpretation of the sonatas & partitas for solo violin. Is it worth it? Thanks in advance. 

I think her interpretations are compelling, but many folks seem to consider them strident and quite unattractive.  I read somewhere that her set was for "hard-core period instrument fans".  That includes me.  I've had this set for many years and always am impressed when I play it.

[Antoine Marchand]

I've suffered through two in which she squeaked and sawed her way through a few of them at the Carmel Bach Festival. Perhaps she is now past her prime and that CD captured her in better times, but I wouldn't listen to it if someone gave it to me!

I think her interpretations are compelling, but many folks seem to consider them strident and quite unattractive.  I read somewhere that her set was for "hard-core period instrument fans".  That includes me.  I've had this set for many years and always am impressed when I play it.

Thanks for the opinions, Toccata&Fugue and Don.

It's weird, I have several versions of the sonatas & partitas, even by violinists that I don't admire a third of what I admire Mrs. Wallfisch, but I had never considered to purchase her sonatas & partitas or her sonatas for violin & harpsichord. I think I will do it, as she has never disappointed me and, at some extent, I could be considered a "hardcore period instrument fan".   

[Odnoposoff]

I know maybe 10 different recordings on those magnificent works, but to me, not one was better than the first Szering. It's just perfect.

[Marc]

Usually I don't see any comment on Elizabeth Wallfisch's interpretation of the sonatas & partitas for solo violin. Is it worth it? Thanks in advance. 

Well, since her recording has been replaced in the Hyperion catalogue by Alina Ibragimova's ....

I might have Wallfisch's recording of the six somewhere on music cassette, but .... where?
I threw those cassettes away in some dark corner.
I do not recall a real 'WOW' after listening to them, though.

Have to check this issue out again.
Let's dive into some corners this week!

[Antoine Marchand]

I know maybe 10 different recordings on those magnificent works, but to me, not one was better than the first Szering. It's just perfect.

Hi, Odnoposoff. Welcome aboard!

My favorite versions are all by HIP violinists: Kuijken I, Matthews, Schmidt, Podger and so, but undoubtedly those great violinists of the past have some wonderful things to say, too.

Apparently, I have a soft spot with female violinists because I am seriously thinking to purchase this new recording on Zig-Zag Territoires:

[Antoine Marchand]

Well, since her recording has been replaced in the Hyperion catalogue by Alina Ibragimova's ....

Yes, this is a crazy world, isn't it? 

I might have Wallfisch's recording of the six somewhere on music cassette, but .... where?
I threw those cassettes away in some dark corner.
I do not recall a real 'WOW' after listening to them, though.

Have to check this issue out again.
Let's dive into some corners this week!

I lost many jewels with my old cassetes because I did something really stupid with them. I sold all of them - when I was 19 or 20 years old - because I decided that I just needed compact discs.

[Marc]

I know maybe 10 different recordings on those magnificent works, but to me, not one was better than the first Szering. It's just perfect.

Szeryng is one of my favourite non-HIPs, too.
A bit 'stubborn', but I like that.

I was re-reading this thread and thought: wow, what a huge amount of different recordings of these great pieces! And I know so little of them.

Completists (living in Danmark or elsewhere ) really have to dig deep in their wallets.

Btw: I just ordered the Wallfisch set at the library.
(Got depressed in those dark corners.)
In about a week I will be able to listen to them (again).

Some of my faves so far: Szeryng, Zehetmaier, Kuijken I, Matthews and Fernandez. The latter, issued on the small label Flora is probably my top-notch choice.

[Coopmv]

NEW! (On Zig-Zag Territoires)

Q

Q,  Do you have this twofer?

[Antoine Marchand]

... and Fernandez. The latter, issued on the small label Flora is probably my top-notch choice.

I forgot Fernandez.

It's a great interpretation, too, unfortunately quite unknown due to the almost nonexistent international distribution of Flora. 

[Marc]

I forgot Fernandez.

It's a great interpretation, too, unfortunately quite unknown due to the almost nonexistent international distribution of Flora.

The Chaconne by Fernandez:
http://www.preludeklassiekemuziek.nl/stream/bach_flora_ciaccona_B.html

My guess is that the owner of this HIP-specialized shop (http://www.prelude-klassiekemuziek.nl/) will be pleased to send the set to anyone (after payment ), if you seek contact with him (reactie@preludeklassiekemuziek.nl).

[Que]

Q,  Do you have this twofer?

Nope. I don't know yet if Ill buy it.

The Fernandez on Flora is already high my wishlist.

Q