NetNews Usenet Archive 1993 #3/NN_1993_3.iso/spool/rec/music/classica/20794

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From: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: I need CD recommendations of Bach's Vln Sonatas and Partitas
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Date: Thu, 21 Jan 1993 18:42:30 GMT

In article <[e-mail]>, [e-mail] (Daniel Hobbs) writes:
>
> I have the following:
>
> Perlman (Angel EMI) -- the best, IMHO.  Sound is vibrant, technique is
>     great.

Now this is one performance I have never heard. However I did hear Perlman play
a fabulous version of the C major sonata in concert, so if that was any
indication this is probably a good set to get, given that many people have
recommended it.

> Milstein (DG) -- good.  Technique is not as smooth as Perlman, but Milstein
>     seems to capture the grandeur and loftiness of some of these
>     pieces very well.

Milstein actually recorded the Sonatas and Partitas at least twice, the older
version in mono (EMI or RCA perhaps) has not been released on CD, as far as I
know. This later version from the middle seventies is quite a beautiful
performance, if rather "romantic" in its approach - Milstein is quite free with
his use of rubato at times (listen, for instance, to the Preludio of the E
major partita). I do think though, that the CD remastering has somehow managed
to dull one of the glories of Milstein's playing - i.e. the astounding
tone he manages to produce from his violin, and in this respect the LP version
is more convincing than is the CD remastering. I have both  LPs and
the CDs of this performance and I have found that I tend to listen to the LPs
far more often.

> Szeryng (Columbia Portrait) -- I think this was a limited edition (it's
>     still listed in H&B catalog...).  Szeryng's tone is like Oistrakh,
>     or Grumiaux, pure and rich, and this set is worth listening to
>     just for that reason.  Szeryng's interpretation doesn't have quite
>     as much variety in tempi from piece to piece as some others, but
>     still a very nice set.
This mono set is a Japanese import and I have seen it around at various stores.
The cover indicates that the recording was made in 1965 which is nonsense of
course - it was recorded in the early fifties.
This is another set that has been hurt by the remastering (IMHO),
making Szeryng sound somewhat harsh, but it's an eminently worthwhile set
nevertheless. Szeryng manages to bring out the contrapuntal nature of this music
(real as well as implied) almost better than anybody else. Listen to the
fugues in each of the Sonatas. In this respect nobody else comes close.
That Szeryng's later stereo recording for DG is not generally available on CD
is astounding, since it has all the qualities of these performances and better
sound in addition.

> Heifetz (RCA) -- I've tried to give this set a chance, but I still can't
>     escape the feeling that Heifetz chose speed over other factors
>     too often.  On the upside, you get a new view of the fugues when
>     they're played at Heifetz' tempi...  But I feel the tone and the
>     interpretation just don't match any of the above.

This set is indeed an acquired taste, especially if one is used to the much
slower tempi of other performances. However if one gets rid of preconceived
notions of how this music should be played there is much to enjoy here.
Technically, of course, Heifetz is quite extraordinary and in general his
approach tends to work better in the partitas as opposed to the sonatas where I
tend to prefer the more expansive playing of Szeryng.

> Kujiken -- played on "original" instrument.  When I got this, I didn't
     ^^on DHM^^
>     expect anything new, but Kujiken gives it. The sound is gutsier,
>     and K. favors rolled chords over multiple stops.  The performance
>     is the only really "Baroque"-sounding performance of these
>     that I've heard.  And there's plenty of energy here, with some
>     of the fast movements really sizzling along.  I'd definitely
>     consider this an alternative to the standard "romantic" approach
>     of the above.

This is an interesting set and is preferable (IMHO) to the other available
period instrument performance by Sergiu Luca. Kuijken plays quite well and
is well recorded and this set is worthwhile for the distinctly different tone
colouring that these pieces receive. K. does not (IMHO), however, penetrate
much below the surface of any of the pieces and I have tended to admire the
playing and yet remain somewhat unmoved when I hear this set. Also K. tends to
be a bit heavy handed in his playing of the various dance movements that
permeate the sonatas and partitas.

> Menuhin (EMI Great Performance (i think)) -- these performance were
>     transferred from 78's made in the 30's, and the sound suffers
>     accordingly.  But Menuhin evidently brought these works to
>     popular attention, and the performances show why.  His performance
>     of the Chaconne is still one of the best I've heard.

Wonderful performances, indeed, but cannot be recommended if you are going to
buy just one set of these works, because of the poor recording quality. I
agree about the performance of the Ciaconna, which incidentally is also
available separately as a filler to Menuhin's performances of the Bach Violin
Concertos (the D minor for two violins has Enesco as the second violin) with
Monteaux conducting on the same EMI label.

>
> BTW:  Arthur Grumiaux has recorded these for Philips, but they're out
>       of print.  If anyone knows where I could get this set, _please_
>       let me know!
>
> Dan Hobbs
> [e-mail]

I would be extremely thrilled to find this set, but was it ever released on
CD?

Now some more comments on a few other sets that haven't been mentioned here.

Shumsky (ASV or MHS) - This is one of my favourite sets. Shumsky's playing
brings out the grandeur of the these pieces almost better than anyone else.
The lovely phrasing of the lines makes this a most eloquent performance.
The D minor Partita is thrilling - building to a great climax with the
Ciaconna. This is a set that I have few reservations about and can thoroughly
recommend.

Mintz (DG) - Hopefully Mintz will record these pieces once again, since this
set shows great promise even though it is flawed. I find the reading while
often quite successful, somewhat inconsistent. The D minor partita and
especially the Ciaconna does not come off too well (IMHO) but some of the
sonatas (e.g C major) are very well played. It seems though that Mintz has
intonation problems with some of the more hectic double stoppings in the
great fugues.

Kremer (Phillips) -Someone on the net mentioned this set. However, I find that
I do not like it very much even though it is well played from a purely
technical standpoint. The double stoppings can get extremely harsh at times
and I do not think the interpretive depth of Kremer in this recording is on
par with that of Milstein, Szeryng or Shumsky.

So let me summarize my recommendations. Ideally, for these great works, it is
worth having more than one set, but one has to start somewhere of course.

Top recommendations : Milstein (DG), Shumsky (ASV), Szeryng (CBS)
Alternatives (but not if its the only set): Heifetz(RCA), Menuhin (EMI),
                                            Kuijken(DHM)

                            Alak Chakravorty