Beethoven's Violin Sonatas - recommendations, please

[ostuni]

But, Thropps, who says it's a distortion? Beethoven marks a trill: there were lots of possible ways to interpret that in his day, and putting a turn after the trill is perfectly valid, even if (as rkyburz says) no one else seems to do it... I'm absolutely with him, btw, on the way F/M's little 'deviations' from the text really work for me.

Thinking of HIP versions, I stumbled across Jorja Fleezanis & Cyril Huvé on Spotify just now (while quickly trawling through other approaches to op 96's trill). I hadn't come across Fleezanis before: this tells you a lot more about the project. When I've got more time, I'll have a proper listen: sounded rather good.

[Thropplenoggin]

Happy listening, Thropplenoggin....I am confident you will like the Schroeder/Immerseel set; this one has a much more pleasing resonant recording than the newer Immerseel version. And that is a wonderful bargain price for 3 CDs. Let us know your thoughts when you hear it.

Will do, MickyD. And many thanks for the suggestion and encouragement.

[ostuni]

And thanks, MickyD & Bryn, for the Schroeder/Immerseel, which I've just ordered, after going back to Spotify to listen to a few bits. I hadn't considered this one before - I've sometimes found Schroeder's playing a bit fragile (on some of those Smithsonian discs, and in the old Quartetto Esterhazy), but this seems nicely full blooded, and Immerseel's Graf sounds lovely.

[MickyD]

Glad you agree, ostuni...it is the beautiful halo of sound around the Graf which makes me enthuse so much about this set. I just wish Deutsche Harmonia Mundi would re-release their old recordings of Jorg Demus playing Schumann on early pianos...they had the same magical quality for me.

[verismissimo]

... Could I also recommend the very first recording of the complete Beethoven Violin Sonatas ? That's by Fritz Kreisler and Franz Rapp, recorded in 1935-6 and avaialble in fine Ward Marston remasterings on Naxos.

Of course the style is very different to today's but do hear them, they represent an age.

Not sure this will appeal to Throppers, ff. Kreisler was at the dawn of continuous vibrato!

However, I think everyone should hear them.

[verismissimo]

Albert Sammons and William Murdoch in the finale from the Kreutzer (1927):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QoOtmsTBkPY

[mikealdren]

If anyone's looking for the Faust set, it's £15.90 at MDT at the moment, something of a bargain.

Mike

[mikealdren]

If anyone's looking for the Faust set, it's £15.90 at MDT at the moment, something of a bargain.

Mike

[Bryn]

If anyone's looking for the Faust set, it's £15.90 at MDT at the moment, something of a bargain.

Mike

If ordering just the one item, with p&p taken into consideration, Presto beat the MDT deal (£18.63 as against £18.90, it would appear).

[hafod]

If ordering just the one item, with p&p taken into consideration, Presto beat the MDT deal (£18.63 as against £18.90, it would appear).

If pennies are the issue then the Europadisc deal is £18.16 delivered, although orders placed now will not be processed until 2 January.