Great Performances From the Library of Congress, Volume 22 - Henryk Szeryng and Gary Graffman in Concert

Ludwig van Beethoven, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Robert Schumann Johannes Brahms (Composer), Henryk Szeryng; Gary Graffman (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Henryk Szeryng; Gary Graffman
• Composer: Ludwig van Beethoven, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Robert Schumann Johannes Brahms
• Audio CD (October 1, 2005)
• SPARS Code: ADD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Bridge Records, Inc.
• ASIN: B000BDH572
• Also Available in: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #265,632 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

This disc is the second Szeryng/Graffman disc Bridge has released, and is taken from concerts that the duo gave at the Library of Congress in 1970 and 1971. In his review of the first Bridge CD (a Beethoven recital- BRIDGE 9165) critic Jed Distler writes: “In his autobiography, pianist Gary Graffman warmly recalls his chamber music collaborations with violinist Henryk Szeryng. Judging from these Beethoven performances, the Szeryng/Graffman partnership yielded exciting results.” And indeed, the exciting results are continued in this collection. The disc begins with the duo’s superbly wrought recording of Brahms’s G major Sonata- a reading that is notable for its precision and involvement. This is chamber music-making at its best, with both artists playing off each other with inspired spontaneity. The Schumann A minor Sonata performance, called by critic Irving Lowens in The Evening Star “the high point of the evening”, is one of almost savage intensity and impassioned music-making. Szeryng announces two encores from the stage- movements by Beethoven and Mozart, and a cheering audience sends the artists home with ‘Bravos’ ringing in their ears. Henryk Szeryng and Gary Graffman can also be heard on these Bridge CDs: Beethoven: Sonatas for Violin and Piano Op. 12, No. 1; Op. 12, No. 3; Op. 47 "Kreutzer” Henryk Szeryng, violin; Gary Graffman, piano; BRIDGE 9165 Brahms: Sonata in A major, Op. 100; Prokofiev: Sonata No. 1 in F minor, Op. 80 Brahms: Sonatensatz; Berl Senofsky, violin; Gary Graffman, piano; BRIDGE 9118

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gorgeous Playing, August 4, 2007

By 

V. Stasov - See all my reviews

This review is from: Great Performances From the Library of Congress, Volume 22 - Henryk Szeryng and Gary Graffman in Concert (Audio CD)

Bridge is releasing some priceless recordings, this being one of them. The playing is absolutely beautiful, and the Schumann is thrilling. It's interesting to hear Szerying speak as he announces the two encores. A highly intelligent man who was fluent in many languages, his refined English is flawless with almost no sign of an accent. He was supposed to be a most unpleasant person, but here in his musical element, he's magnificent.