Our Summer BAL No.57 The Brahms Violin Sonatas

[BBMmk2]

As I've said in another thread, I would like to know about these works. As there are a lot of recordings, I thought I would leave suggestions over to you!

[makropulos]

As I've said in another thread, I would like to know about these works. As there are a lot of recordings, I thought I would leave suggestions over to you!

Suk and Katchen (Decca) of all three sonatas is a recording I have loved since it first came out. It's a marvellous record and that's where I'd be inclined to start, though there are plenty of other interesting recordings (Mullova/Anderszewski and Grumiaux/Sebok among others).

[pastoralguy]

As I said on the other board, George Kulenkampf and Georg Solti recorded in 1948. It's the recording I compare all others to.

[kea]

There are many worthwhile recordings, depends on what you're looking for.

For me, Pamela Frank & Peter Serkin's set is the greatest, in particular No. 3 which is unequalled by any other duo I've heard. Isabelle Faust & Alexander Melnikov is also a favourite. Among the historical recordings, though I do very much enjoy Grumiaux & Sebök in No. 1, Suk & Katchen in general, and Francescatti & Casadesus, the top choice and one of my favourite Brahms recordings in general is Gioconda de Vito & Edwin Fischer (1, 3) & Tito Apnea (2). She had the measure of Brahms's writing in a way that sounds natural and unforced and makes many other performances sound wrong, in my experience.

If you are on drugs, also consider Gidon Kremer & Valery Afanassiev who play everything about three times as slowly as it should be.

[pastoralguy]

And not forgetting David Oistrakh! Many versions available...

[kea]

For whatever reason I find Oistrakh's recordings to be.... slightly too romanticised? He seems to over-emote a lot of the time which runs counter to the music's natural tendency towards emotional reserve. But I realise that may be part of the appeal for some people....

I do generally like his live recordings better than the famous studio ones though.

[pastoralguy]

For whatever reason I find Oistrakh's recordings to be.... slightly too romanticised? He seems to over-emote a lot of the time which runs counter to the music's natural tendency towards emotional reserve. But I realise that may be part of the appeal for some people....

I do generally like his live recordings better than the famous studio ones though.

Yes, I would agree that the live one with Richter is outstanding. One of the first records I ever bought. C/w the Franck Sonata iirc!

[kea]

If it's the one in what Melodiya is now calling Volume 4 of the Oistrakh Edition, then yes, agree. Only wish they'd also recorded No. 1, which is my favourite of the three sonatas.

[pastoralguy]

As I said on the other board, George Kulenkampf and Georg Solti recorded in 1948. It's the recording I compare all others to.

Listening to this recording right now. Amazing to think it was recorded nearly 70 years ago under the shadow of the Second World War. Sublime playing.

(Actually, it also makes me realise that when I first heard this recording it was only 30 years old!)

[vinteuil]

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... I stand by my earlier recommendations on another thread -

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... such joy ahead!

For starters,

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http://amzn.eu/4hYDWFZ

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http://amzn.eu/3hSCreY

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http://amzn.eu/2yldZlR

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http://amzn.eu/bZLLrUn

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http://amzn.eu/2I8mizJ

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[pastoralguy]

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... I stand by my earlier recommendations on another thread -

I wouldn't disagree with any of these, vinteuil.

Actually, I'm struggling to think of any duff recordings of these sublime works.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Listening to this recording right now. Amazing to think it was recorded nearly 70 years ago under the shadow of the Second World War. Sublime playing.
(Actually, it also makes me realise that when I first heard this recording it was only 30 years old!)

I half-remember the LP cover of that when it was on the racks in the student record shop in my first year at university - two B&W photos of the two performers taken at around the time of the recording.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

I half-remember the LP cover of that when it was on the racks in the student record shop in my first year at university - two B&W photos of the two performers taken at around the time of the recording.

Oh - this one, in fact:



... but on ECLIPSE rather than Ace of Clubs.

[pastoralguy]

Many thanks, chaps!

[cloughie]

Suk and Katchen (Decca) of all three sonatas is a recording I have loved since it first came out.