The Great Violinists: Recordings from 1900-1913 [Import]

Johann Sebastian Bach (Composer), Joseph Joachim (Composer), Johannes Brahms (Composer), Felix [1] Mendelssohn (Composer), Henri Vieuxtemps (Composer), Emmanuel Chabrier (Composer), Fritz Kreisler (Composer), Pablo de Sarasate (Composer), Frederic Chopin (Composer), Henryk Wieniawski (Composer), Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky (Composer), Ignace Jan Paderewski (Composer), Gioachino Rossini (Composer), Georges Bizet (Composer), Antonio Bazzini (Composer), Jan Ladislav Dussek (Composer), George Frederick Handel (Composer), Ferdinand Ries (Composer), Jeno Hubay (Composer), Laszlo (Composer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Composer: Johann Sebastian Bach, Joseph Joachim, Johannes Brahms, Felix [1] Mendelssohn, Henri Vieuxtemps, et al.
• Audio CD (February 10, 2004)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Import
• Label: Testament UK
• ASIN: B0000X81WQ
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #130,113 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

This amazing collection of early violinists comes from the dawn of recorded history. Some, like the headliners mentioned in the artist listing, may be still well remembered (all three were also fine composers). Some are extremely obscure. But anyone seriously interested in the history of the violin will want to hear this collection. Joachim, who inspired Brahms and other composers, was a faded performer by 1903, but a powerful personality still comes through. Sarasate, still in his prime in the same year, is simply one of the most impressive violin virtuosi who ever recorded. Both musicians' recordings are presented complete. Others in the collection include Kreisler, Thibaud, Kubelik, Szigeti (very early, in uncharacteristic dazzling performances of Hungarian showpieces), and many lesser celebrities, most impressive among them Franz von Vécsey. Although there are similar collections available, the sound quality on this set makes it far preferable to the others. You can actually hear what is going on clearly, with minimal surface noise, even in the 1900 sides! Tully Potter's intelligent program notes are another worthwhile bonus. --Leslie Gerber

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Those were times of Titans!, December 2, 2007

By 

Hiram Gomez Pardo (Valencia, Venezuela) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Great Violinists: Recordings from 1900-1913 (Audio CD)

Testament label has made an epic effort, just imagine what it means to listen these colossus of the instrument like Joachim, Ysaye (an intimate musical partner of Pablo Casals) , the legendary Don Pablo de Sarasate (to whom Eduard Lalo dedicated his world famous Spanish Fantasy), Fritz Kresler, Enseco and Wienawski. And despite the acoustic of these times -pitifully- was the most desired, just to think you or me are able to listen these icons of the violin, should justify plainly the inversion.

This album must be included among the most emblematic treasures rescued from the ashes of time for the rest of us who must feel ourselves totally privileged with this release so expected by previous generations who didn't have the opportunity to enjoy it.