Andrew Posted May 2, 1999 Report Posted May 2, 1999 Yesterday, I went to a music store, and saw several CDs of Bach violin solo sonata by different players, Heifetz, Perlman, Ricci, Milstein. Anybody have these cds, and which one to recommend? Thank you.
SBailey Posted May 2, 1999 Report Posted May 2, 1999 I have to recommend my favorite: Henryk Szeryng's 1968 recordings of the complete sonatas and partitas (on Deutsche Grammophon). The Heifetz is also fine. I can't recommend the Grumiaux on Philips. Hope that helps. : Yesterday, I went to a music store, and saw several CDs of Bach violin solo sonata by different players, Heifetz, Perlman, Ricci, Milstein. Anybody have these cds, and which one to recommend? : Thank you.
A. Brown Posted May 2, 1999 Report Posted May 2, 1999 There is also an additional Szeryng recording not available in the US (but available in Canada) that supposedly is "better," whatever that might mean. I think I read somewhere that Szeryng preferred the slow movements in one recording and the fast movements in the other. A. Brown
RS Posted May 3, 1999 Report Posted May 3, 1999 All of those recordings are good old-fashioned (i.e. Romantic) interpretations of Bach. If you have the $$ why not also get a good Baroque violin performance? I highly recommend Sigiswald Kuijken's recording on Deutsche Harmonia Mundi. Or a good compromise would be Sergiu Luca (on Nonesuch)-- he plays them on a modern violin, but paying attention to Baroque performance practice. : Yesterday, I went to a music store, and saw several CDs of Bach violin solo sonata by different players, Heifetz, Perlman, Ricci, Milstein. Anybody have these cds, and which one to recommend? : Thank you.
ADean Posted May 5, 1999 Report Posted May 5, 1999 What is daring about attempting another watered down, so-called baroque interpretation of bach? Oh, and by the way, Luca does use a baroque violin and bow on that recording, it is a 1669 Nicolas Amati and the bow was an original baroque bow of unknown origin, possibly as old as 1650s'. The smartest advice I could give to anyone who wants to listen to or play Bach is to realize that more than any other composer, the greatness of the music is in its construction. The greatest recordings, to me, are those that have as little of individual players personality getting in the way of the music as possible. To me, Heifitz is just about the most perfect example of a Bach performance I could not stand to listen to. Szering, Grumiaux and Milstein are classic, but the Hillary Hahn recording that came out recently I find to be wonderful and refreshing. Adean : All of those recordings are good old-fashioned (i.e. Romantic) interpretations of Bach. If you have the $$ why not also get a good Baroque violin performance? I highly recommend Sigiswald Kuijken's recording on Deutsche Harmonia Mundi. Or a good compromise would be Sergiu Luca (on Nonesuch)-- he plays them on a modern violin, but paying attention to Baroque performance practice. : : Yesterday, I went to a music store, and saw several CDs of Bach violin solo sonata by different players, Heifetz, Perlman, Ricci, Milstein. Anybody have these cds, and which one to recommend? : : Thank you.
Irene Posted May 5, 1999 Report Posted May 5, 1999 I agree that the Hillary Hahn recording is great-- there is a freshness and attentiveness to BACH in it that I have rarely heard elsewhere. I also own a recording of Perlman, which has some beautiful moments, but other times the playing seems a little thoughtless, a little monotonous. I personally don't go much for the "authentic" performance craze going on these days. But I must say, not all "authentic" Baroque performances are dry and watered down... I think they are definitely worth a listen. I once heard one (unfortunately I've forgotten the name of the performer) that was absolutely breathtaking. It was full of character and charm and this kind of cultured passion --and I loved it. It sounded like... Bach! In all his genius.
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