works in the repertory but also they have been recorded by the century's top fiddlers, from Heifetz, Milstein and Szigeti to Kremer and Grumiaux. Those versions offer more emotional and intellectual nourishment than Podger can offer, but the growing army of Bachians who insist on gut-stringed baroque instruments and period-style embellishments and phrasing will strongly disagree. Even traditionalists will admire her technical expertise, impeccable intonation and springy rhythms, among much else to enjoy on this fine disc. For example, the Preludio of the Partita No.3 that opens the disc bursts with joyous life and the Grave opening of the Sonata No.2 has a solemn depth that eludes so many period practitioners. If you enjoyed her first volume of the Sonatas and Partitas, you will love this one too, but do listen to the veterans mentioned above, for they remain supreme. --Dan Davis
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.
...thorough introduction to Martha Argerich, you may want to read my other post (or you may not!):
http://www.ciao.co.uk/BachKeyboardWorksReview5359921
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CD Notes:
LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN (1770 - 1827)
Sonata for Piano and Violin no. 4 in A minor, op. 23
1. (1) Presto 6’56
2. (2) Andante scherzoso più Allegretto 7’20
3. (3) Allegro molto 5’15
Sonata for Piano and Violin no. 5 in F major, op. 24 "Frühlings-Sonate" ["Spring"]
4. (1) Allegro 9’41
5. (2) Adagio molto espressivo 6’02
6. (3) Scherzo. Allegro molto 1’19
7. (4) Rondo. Allegro ma non troppo 6’34
MARTHA ARGERICH, Piano
GIDON KREMER, Violin
Deutsche Grammophon
(P) 1987 43’23
417 787-2
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(Performances for comparison:)
From:
BEETHOVEN
The ViolinSonatas
ANNE-SOPHIE MUTTER
LAMBERT ORKIS
Compact Disc 2Sonatas op. 23 & op. 24
"Spring Sonata...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: Wonderful transcriptions of JS Bach's majestic music; sensitive, tender, vivacious, effortless and fluid playing. Disadvantages: Nil.
...Variata in A Minor (Italian Variations) BWV 989
7 Gigue from Violin Partita no 3. BWV1006
Trio Sonata in C Major BWV 529
8 Allegro
9 Largo
10 Allegro
Concerto in C minor (after Marcello) BWV 974:
11 Allegro
12 Largo
13 Presto
14 Bist du bei mir (from Anna Magdalena Notebook BWV 508)
Concerto in A major (transposed to C Major) BWV 1055:
15 Allegro
16 Larghetto
17 Allegro ma non tanto
18 Badinerie from Orchestral Suite no.2 BWV 1067
19 Agnus Dei from Mass in B minor BWV 232
Performers:
Alison Balsom (trumpets), Colm Carey (organ), Alina Ibragimova (violin), Alistair Ross (harpsichord & chamber organ), Mark Caudle (viola da gamba)
Total running time: 71' 31"
List Price:
$16.98
GBP13.99
(Of course, it can easily be had for less on many online stores. Just Google the disc name and artist.)
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The following information...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: Brilliant, stirring, excitingly unpredictable, fresh performance; "genius" is not hyperbole in Argerich's case. Disadvantages: Reflecting its LP origins, the CD lasts only 50' 16"!
...sweeps you away with her total mastery of the piece. You enter what might seem like a complex maze, as she traces the oft-changing melodic path dotted with lots of little musical surprises. In a few places, she gradually pumps up the pace and volume leading up to the climax, playing as if relentlessly driven by some unseen force, tossing off those diabolical little trills and mordents with cavalier abandon.
I haven’t been this astonished by almost any other performance of Bach. A few (very few) stodgy critics may find her interpretations a bit "excessive," but a colorful, lively and passionate Bach has never been distasteful to me.
Her Allemandes and Sarabandes are softer, gentler and more introspective, while she stirs up excitement in the faster sections with both subtle and overt shifts in mood from one phrase to the next, from one...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
very helpful 08.10.2003
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