Brahms: The Violin Sonatas [Original recording remastered, Import]

Johannes Brahms (Composer), Julius Katchen (Performer), Josef Suk (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Julius Katchen, Josef Suk
• Composer: Johannes Brahms
• Audio CD (February 6, 2001)
• SPARS Code: ADD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered, Import
• Label: Decca Import
• ASIN: B000059ZIC
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #50,162 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars True and Golden Sound and Heartfelt Emotions, October 21, 2001

By 

"stradgirl" (Toronto, ON) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Brahms: The Violin Sonatas (Audio CD)

This is a very memorable album of Brahms Violin Sonatas. As a direct descent of Dvorak, Suk sure knows how to play Brahms, who was Dvorak's mentor. You can feel the polished glory of his sound in every note, and every phrase is played with just the right amount of burning passion and romantic nuance - the d minor sonata especially is a gem you wouldn't want to miss. The crisp Decca acoustics and the golden rich tone of Suk together create a very special atmosphere. Alongside this recording, I recommend the two Brahms trios Suk played with Janos Starker and Julius Katchen: it's the definitive romantic interpretation of those monumental works.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The supreme perfection!, July 17, 2007

By 

Hiram Gomez Pardo (Valencia, Venezuela) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Brahms: The Violin Sonatas (Audio CD)

Among the annals of the greatest historical registers ever made this set must be included in a top list of the twenty five gem performances of the chamber music genre.

There is not any violinist of today capable to equal the level of expression and total commitment of Joseph Suk. Moreover, can boast of this kaleidoscopic variety of tonal colour, organic phrasing, mercurial tact, and even major ability to express with such deepness of sheer lyricism.

Of course, there must be a strong acknowledgement in which concerns to the musical support of Julius Katchen one of the most extraordinary pianist born in USA, whose musical canvas sounds so expressive natural that it would seem to have been born in Europe. His velvet sound, his accuracy around every single bar and his inimitable pianissimos makes of him the most remarkable American pianist playing Brahms. He captured and knew to deal with the essential core of Brahms, conferring him of grace, charm ,deepness without that nestled humor into the musical structure.

I would like to underline this last aspect because without that Mediterranean touch, Brahms may be unbearable to listen. That's why there are so many brilliant pianists who conscious or unconsciously increase a pretended austerity in his music, lacking that kind spirit of a man who loved the Hungarian tunes and maintained a sort of formidable equilibrium between expression and charm; vigor and lyricism.

That's why this set must be acquired in case you (as I do) be a hard fan Brahms chamber music and effectively want to possess the4 best versions of this first rate composer.

A must-have.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars First rate performance, March 25, 2008

By 

Dermot Elworthy "Contra Posaune" (Florida , United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Brahms: The Violin Sonatas (Audio CD)

Another reviewer has made the "Czech Connection". It is fun to suppose that the Brahms/Dvorak relationship and the wealth of Bohemian musicality which they both appreciated has been genetically preserved in Joseph Suk. Fanciful speculation of course, but there is no doubt that Suk plays these three Sonatas with a greater sense of phrasing and much broader tone colour than the others with whom I'm familiar and who do not share this musical heritage.

The three Sonatas were recorded in the now-gone Kingsway Hall two years before the premature death of Julius Katchen who essentially was a solo recitalist - I think his recordings of the complete Brahms solo piano repertoire quite the best - but, as these sonatas demonstrate, also was a very fine and empathetic accompanist.

Of the recordings of these delightful Sonatas currently available, I think this one is a classic and the yardstick against which others should be measured - it is thoroughly deserving of its inclusion in Decca's "Legendary Performances" series. The musical synergy of the duo is very evident; the recording quality is excellent and the balance between instruments very much better than usually is achieved with violin/piano pairing.

I have other recordings of these works but they do not have the charm and musicality of this collection which I recommend.