Bach; Beethoven; Szymanowski: Violin Chamber Works

Advantages: Romantic orchestral music
Disadvantages: Only 1 hour - eat quickly for a romantic dinner

...Johann Sebastian Bach, giant among Baroque composers, was a prolific writer whose versatility and creativity resulted in a wealth of musical works with a diversity ranging from sacred choral works, keyboard music to orchestra music. The CD, Concerto for Two Violins in D minor / Violin Concertos in A minor & E minor, is an orchestral recording conducted by Salvatore Accardo, in which two violins (Anne-Sophie Mutter and Salvatore Accardo) / solo violin (Anne-Sophie Mutter) are contrasted with a larger orchestra (English Chamber Orchestra) of strings and bass continuo instrument the harpsichord. Bach is often criticized for his strict attention to form. Whilst, I greatly admire Bach for his intellectual and methodical approach to composition, what I enjoy most is the harmonious and melodic music that results. This CD is a superb example... Read review

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Advantages: Thrilling, daredevil chamber music performances from the legendary Martha Argerich and partner-in-crime Gidon Kremer.
Disadvantages: Violinist Kremer occasionally on the mannered, spastic side; only forty-three minutes of music.

...unenlightened hierarchy of classical music preferences. To me, the performers are having more fun than the listeners (me, specifically) when it comes to chamber music. Well, leave it to Martha to upset another bias of mine. Here she teams up with her good friend, Latvian violinist Gidon Kremer, to play a couple of sonatas by Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827). (The CD represents only part of their recordings of Beethoven’s sonata cycle for piano and violin.) Once again, Argerich’s formidable talent is in full display. Violinist Kremer, a frequent chamber music partner of hers, proves an able and equal partner. The Sonatas for Piano and Violin. The works on review are the Sonata no. 4 in A minor, and the Sonata no. 5 in F major ("Frühlings-Sonate" ["Spring"]) for Piano and Violin. For comparison, I chose the Anne-Sophie Mutter-Lambert Orkis version... Read review

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Advantages: Outstanding music on period instruments
Disadvantages: Swaping C.D'S in music player.

...of the original performances. The works would have been played in a mixed programme of both vocal and instrumental works. This allowed for a rich cross pollination of ideas from theatre. Beethoven is using what he was provided with from his predecessors and making each symphony a drama. The London Classical Players have been in many performances both here and abroad of music in period form. They have performed works by Handel, Bach, Mozart, Haydn and Schubert. This has been well received by the public. The Schutz Choir of London started life in 1962, and carried out 10 years research into choral works. They became professional in 1973 and broke new ground in Baroque music. With Sir Roger they have performed works by Monteverdi, Bach, Handel, and Mozart. Haydn and Schubert. The choir has toured extensively. The original set was a six boxed set from... Read review

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