Hindemith - Sonatas for Viola/Piano and Viola Alone / Kashkashian · Levin

Kim Kashkashian (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 29, 1994)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Ecm Records
• ASIN: B0000031TY
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #573,656 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Sonate fur Viola Solo Op. 31 Nr. 4 (1924): Ausserst labhaft

2. Sonate fur Viola Solo Op. 31 Nr. 4 (1924): Lied - Ruhig, mit wenig Ausdruck

3. Sonate fur Viola Solo Op. 31 Nr. 4 (1924): Thema mit Variationen: Schnelle Viertel - Langsam - Ziemlich lebhaft

4. Sonate fur Viola Solo Op. 25 Nr. 1 (1922): Breit; Sehr frisch und straff

5. Sonate fur Viola Solo Op. 25 Nr. 1 (1922): Sehr langsam

6. Sonate fur Viola Solo Op. 25 Nr. 1 (1922): Rasendes Zeitmass. Wild. Tonschonheit ist Nebensache

7. Sonate fur Viola Solo Op. 25 Nr. 1 (1922): Langsam, mit veil Ausdruck

8. Sonate fur Viola Solo (1937): Lebhafte Halbe

9. Sonate fur Viola Solo (1937): Langsame Viertel - Lebhaft (pizzicato)

10. Sonate fur Viola Solo (1937): Massig schnelle Viertel

See all 14 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. Sonate fur Viola und Piano Op. 11 Nr. 4 (1919): Phantasie

2. Sonate fur Viola und Piano Op. 11 Nr. 4 (1919): Thema mit Variationen

3. Sonate fur Viola und Piano Op. 11 Nr. 4 (1919): Finale mit Variationen

4. Sonate fur Viola und Piano Op. 25 Nr. 4 (1922): Sehr lebhaft, markiert und kraftvoll

5. Sonate fur Viola und Piano Op. 25 Nr. 4 (1922): Sehr langsame Viertel

6. Sonate fur Viola und Piano Op. 25 Nr. 4 (1922): Finale, lebhaft Viertel

7. Sonate fur Viola und Piano (1939): Briet, mit Kraft

8. Sonate fur Viola und Piano (1939): Sehr lebhaft

9. Sonate fur Viola und Piano (1939): Phantasie

10. Sonate fur Viola und Piano (1939): Finale

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hindemith in All His Varied Glory, January 11, 2000

By 

C. Noble (Portland, OR USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Hindemith - Sonatas for Viola/Piano and Viola Alone / Kashkashian · Levin (Audio CD)

Hindemith seems to enjoy a slandered reputation by most US music afficianados these days. "Hindemith is square, dry, humorless, passionless music." Any such pre- and mis-conceptions must surrender to the body of work presented on this set of Hindemith's complete viola sonatas (Hindemith was himself one of the first touring viola soloists, he premiered the Walton Concerto), beautifully played by Kim Kashkashian and Robert Levin. There are, to my mind, two highlights from this set--two brighter gems among a sea of precious stones. The first is the Op. 11/4 Sonata for viola and piano. This represents Hindemith at his most romantic. Oddly redolent of Debussy and the Impressionist influence in the prelude, but staunchly Germanic in its Fugue and concluding Variations, this sonata encompasses an entire range of musical passion. The second is the Op. 25/1 Solo Viola Sonata. A slightly more severe work than the 11/4, it is nevertheless a masterfully crafted, flawlessly paced composition. The central slow movement is touching and profound, while the moto perpetuo fast movement is a blazing virtuoso tour de force. Throughout the entire set, Kashkashian (an American of Armenian lineage who makes her home in Germany) and Levin (known more for his authentic performances of Mozart and Beethoven concerti) play with great integrity, virtuosity, and sincerity. After listening to this music, you will never think of Hindemith, or the viola, the same way again.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is an amazing recording, January 26, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Hindemith - Sonatas for Viola/Piano and Viola Alone / Kashkashian · Levin (Audio CD)

I own many recordings of the Hindemith sonatas for viola. I even have one of Hindemith himself playing two of his own works. This CD is by far the best. Anyone who says they don't like Hindemith should get this. I've played this CD for friends who said they didn't like Hindemith and this CD changed their minds. They now reconize Hindemith for the genius that he was, and the viola for its potential as a solo instrument. (The piano playing on this recording is amazing too.)

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a must have for any violist, February 1, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Hindemith - Sonatas for Viola/Piano and Viola Alone / Kashkashian · Levin (Audio CD)

I love the sonatas, but as a violist I love these disks as a standard for great playing for violists. I've never heard better playing anywhere else.