Schmelzer: Violin Sonatas [Import]

Johann Heinrich Schmelzer (Composer), Andrew Manze (Performer), John Toll (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Andrew Manze, John Toll
• Composer: Johann Heinrich Schmelzer
• Audio CD (September 17, 1996)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Harmonia Mundi Fr.
• ASIN: B0000007ES
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #272,654 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Astonishing lyrical sonatas, June 23, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Schmelzer: Violin Sonatas (Audio CD)

I've listened to this album dozens of times in the past -- it is one of the most lyrical, beautiful albums I've heard in several years. The music has passages of great virtuosity which Manze, one of the great violinists of our time, performs with utter confidence, but what makes the album enjoyable over and over again are the hauntingly sweet slow passages. These are songs deeply felt and deeply sung.

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Double Bonus, January 25, 2002

By 

Karen G (Talking Rock, GA USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Schmelzer: Violin Sonatas (Audio CD)

Recently I discovered Biber's Violin Sonatas performed by Romanesca. I was so impressed with that CD, I decided to find out what else Andrew and his friends had been up to. That is when I discovered this CD. This has turned out to be a double bonus. Not only is the performance by Romanesca outstanding, but also I found Schmelzer to be quite intriguing. Everything the previous reviewers have said is absolutely true. Schmelzer is beautiful, lyrical, haunting, and yes he does fall into the Godiva category. To quantify this, this is the perfect morning CD if you are looking to be eased into your day as opposed to breaking into it with Vivaldi. It's also the perfect CD to unwind with after a stressful day. It's so emotional you can't help but be pulled out of your universe forgetting all your daytime woes.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Manze at his best, October 9, 2003

By 

dolcissima2780 "dolcissima" (Pennsylvania, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Schmelzer: Violin Sonatas (Audio CD)

As a violin fanatic, I was very anxious to get my hands on this CD! However, I was not expecting it to be as wonderful as it is! Manze's intonation and technique are flawless, as always, and his up-beat tempos in the fast sections make what the entire concert exciting. The slow movements are played with care and not "astringent" like some other period-instrument performances I have heard. Manze is not the only star on this recording: the entire Romanesca Ensemble is superb in balance and technique. Since I love Biber's Rosenkranz Sontatas, I was happy to see the arrangment on this disc. Schmelzer seems to pick up right where Biber left off, giving the sonata a fun and exhilerating Turkish concept. Here's to yet another disc that beautifully introduces us to a virtually unknown Baroque composer! Highly recommended.