FRITZ KREISLER: THE CENTURY RECORDINGS - MILESTONES OF A LEGEND (10 CDS)

"His playing overcomes every possible difficulty ... With this concert, Kreisler has set a standard that will stand up to any comparison ... The Berlin recording is of unsurpassed intensity." British music critic and writer Norman Lebrecht wrote this, placing Kreisler's recording of the Beethoven Violin Concerto from 1928 among the "100 Milestones of the Century of the Record". A good enough reason to begin our collection with this recording. However, this evaluation could also apply to the other recordings heard here that were made in the 1920s, including sonatas with Sergei Rachmaninov as Kreisler’s piano partner. No less important, and also part of this collection, is his first complete recording of the complete Beethoven violin sonatas (1935/36).
Fritz Kreisler was considered the highest paid violinist of his time. His performances are said to have been of a near hypnotic fascination. Anton Bruckner and Léo Delibes were his teachers, among others. At the age of twelve, he won the 1st Grand Prix of the Paris Conservatory. He was severely wounded during the First World War, spent many successful years in Berlin after his recovery, fled from the Nazis to the United States and became a cosmopolitan musician. The respect for his social commitment grew along with the admiration for him as an artist. Throughout his life Fritz Kreisler endeavored to give voice to people in need - especially children - and to alleviate their fate.

CD 1

■ Ludwig van Beethoven (1770 – 1827)
VIOLIN CONCERTO IN D MAJOR, OP. 61
Konzert für Violine und Orchester, D-Dur, op. 61
1. I. Allegro ma non troppo 23‘54
2. II. Larghetto 10‘25
3. III. Rondo: Allegro 10‘13

Fritz Kreisler violin
Orchester der Berliner Staatsoper (Staatskapelle)
conductor / Dirigent Leo Blech
recorded / aufgenommen Dec. 14th to 16th, 1926
Singakademie Berlin

■ Fritz Kreisler (1875 – 1962)
4. RONDINO ON A THEME BY BEETHOVEN 3‘01
Rondino nach einem Thema von Beethoven

Fritz Kreisler violin
Victor Symphony Orchestra
conductor / Dirigent Donald Voorhees
recorded / aufgenommen May 4th, 1945, Lotos Club, NY City
Total Time 47‘42

CD 2

■ Johannes Brahms (1833 – 1897)
VIOLIN CONCERTO IN D MAJOR, OP. 77
Konzert für Violine und Orchester, D-Dur, op. 77
1. I. Allegro ma non troppo 20‘46
2. II. Adagio 7‘48
3. III. Allegro giocoso ma non troppo 8‘09

Fritz Kreisler violin Orchester der Berliner Staatsoper (Staatskapelle)
conductor / Dirigent Leo Blech recorded / aufgenommen Nov. 21st, 23rd and 25th, 1927
Singakademie Berlin

4. HUNGARIAN DANCE NO. 5 2‘06
Ungarischer Tanz Nr. 5 (Arr.: J. Joachim in G minor/g-Moll)

Fritz Kreisler violin Orchestra Josef Pasternack
recorded / aufgenommen Feb. 7th, 1916, Camden, New Jersey

■ Pjotr I. Tchaikovsky (1840 – 1893)
VIOLIN CONCERTO IN D MAJORA, OP. 35
5. II. Canzonetta: Andante 3‘59

■ Edouard Lalo (1823 – 1892)
SYMPHONIE ESPAGNOLE
6. III. Scherzando 3‘56

Fritz Kreisler violin Carl Lamson piano
recorded / aufgenommen Jan. 24th, 1924 (5), Feb. 13th, 1925 (6) Camden, New Jersey
Total Time 47‘02

CD 3

■ Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy (1809 – 1847)
VIOLIN CONCERTO IN E MINOR, OP. 64
Konzert für Violine und Orchester, e-Moll, op. 64
1. I. Allegro molto appassionato – Presto 12‘09
2. II. Andante 7‘44
3. III. Allegretto non troppo – Allegro molto vivace 6‘49

SONGS WITHOUT WORDS / Lieder ohne Wort, op. 62
(Arr.: F. Kreisler)
4. No. 1: May Breezes / Mailüftchen 2‘46

Fritz Kreisler violin Orchester der Berliner Staatsoper (Staatskapelle)
conductor / Dirigent Leo Blech recorded / aufgenommen Dec. 10th (1-3), 14th (4), 1926
Singakademie Berlin

■ Robert Schumann (1810 – 1856)
5. ROMANCE IN A MAJOR, OP. 94, NO. 2 3‘45
Romanze A-Dur, op. 94, Nr. 2 (Arr.: F.Kreisler)

Fritz Kreisler violin Michael Raucheisen piano
recorded / aufgenommen Dec. 13th, 1927 Electrola Studio Berlin

BONUS
■ Johannes Brahms (1833 – 1897)
VIOLIN CONCERTO IN D MAJOR, OP. 77
Konzert für Violine und Orchester, D-Dur, op. 77
6. I. Allegro ma non troppo 21‘02
7. II. Adagio 8‘26
8. III. Allegro giocoso, ma non troppo vivace 8‘01

Fritz Kreisler violin London Philharmonic Orchestra
conductor / Dirigent John Barbirolli recorded / aufgenommen June 18th and 22nd, 1936
Abbey Road Studio No 1, London
Total Time 71‘03

CD 4

■ Max Bruch (1838 – 1920)
VIOLIN CONCERTO NO. 1 IN G MINOR, OP. 26
Konzert für Violine und Orchester Nr. 1, g-Moll, op. 26
1. I. Introduction: Allegro moderato 7‘22
2. II. Adagio 7‘31
3. III. Finale: Allegro energico 6‘33

Fritz Kreisler violin
Orchestra conducted by Eugene Goossens
recorded / aufgenommen Dec. 29th and 30th, 1924 Jan. 2nd, 1925
HMV Studios, Hayes

■ Fritz Kreisler (1875 – 1962)
STRING QUARTET IN A MINOR
Streichquartett a-Moll
1. I. Fantasia: Moderato 8‘02
5. II. Scherzo: Allegro vivo con spirito 6‘39
6. III. Romanze: Allegretto. Andante con moto 4‘55
7. IV. Finale: Allegro molto moderato 7‘51

Fritz Kreisler 1. violin Thomas Petre 2. violin
William Primrose viola Lauri Kennedy cello
recorded / aufgenommen 1935
Total Time 49‘03

CD 5

■ Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756 – 1791)
VIOLIN CONCERTO NO. 4 IN D MAJOR, K. 218
Konzert für Violine und Orchester Nr. 4, D-Dur, KV. 218
1. I. Allegro 9‘14
2. II. Andante cantabile 8‘36
3. III. Andante grazioso – Allegro ma non troppo 8‘33

Fritz Kreisler violin Landon Ronald and Orchestra
recorded / aufgenommen Dec. 1st and 2nd, 1924 HMV Studios, Hayes

■ Johann Sebastian Bach (1685 – 1750)
CONCERTO FOR TWO VIOLINS IN D MINOR, BWV 1043
Konzert für zwei Violinen und Streichquartett, d-Moll, BWV 1043
4. I. Vivace 3‘46
5. II. Largo ma non tanto 4‘59
6. III. Allegro 4‘53

Fritz Kreisler violin Efrem Zimbalist violin
Stringquartet conducted by Walter B. Rogers recorded / aufgenommen 1915

PARTITA NO. 3 IN E MAJOR / E-Dur, BWV 1006 (Arr.: F. Kreisler)
7. III. Gavotte en Rondeau 3‘19
VIOLIN SONATA NO. 1 IN G MINOR / g-Moll, BWV 1001
8. Adagio 4‘10

Fritz Kreisler violin Franz Rupp piano (7)
recorded / aufgenommen 1938 (7), Dec. 16th, 1926 (8)
Total Time 47‘54

CD 6

■ Ludwig van Beethoven (1770 – 1827)
VIOLIN SONATA NO. 1 IN D MAJOR, OP. 12 NO. 1
Violinsonate Nr. 1, D-Dur, op. 12 Nr. 1
1. I. Allegro con brio 6‘18
2. II. Andante con moto: theme and variations 7‘29
3. III. Rondo: Allegro 4‘45

VIOLIN SONATA NO. 2 IN A MAJOR, OP. 12 NO. 2
Violinsonate Nr. 2, A-Dur, op. 12 Nr. 2
4. I. Allegro vivace 7‘01
5. II. Andante, più tosto Allegretto 5‘44
6. III. Allegro piacevole 4‘25

VIOLIN SONATA NO. 3 IN E FLAT MAJOR, OP. 12 NO. 3
Violinsonate Nr. 3, Es-Dur, op. 12 Nr. 3
7. I. Allegro con spirito 5‘59
8. II. Adagio con molt’espressione 6‘15
9. III. Rondo: Allegro molto 4‘16

VIOLIN SONATA NO. 4 IN A MINOR, OP. 23
Violinsonate Nr. 4, a-Moll, op. 23
10. I. Presto 4‘04
11. II. Andante scherzoso, più Allegretto 8‘22
12. III. Allegro molto 5‘51

Fritz Kreisler violin
Franz Rupp piano
recorded / aufgenommen Apr. 2nd to 5th, 1935
Total Time 70‘47

CD 7

■ Ludwig van Beethoven (1770 – 1827)
VIOLIN SONATA NO. 5 IN F MAJOR, OP. 24, (“SPRING”)
Violinsonate Nr. 5, F-Dur, op. 24, („Frühlingssonate“)
1. I. Allegro 7‘05
2. II. Adagio molto espressivo 5‘27
3. III. Scherzo: Allegro molto 1‘11
4. IV. Rondo: Allegro ma non troppo 6‘40

VIOLIN SONATA NO. 6 IN A MAJOR, OP. 30 NO. 1
Violinsonate Nr. 6, A-Dur, op. 30 Nr. 1
5. I. Allegro 7‘13
6. II. Adagio molto espressivo 7‘07
7. III. Allegretto con variazioni: thema e variazioni 7‘34

VIOLIN SONATA NO. 7 IN C MINOR, OP 30 NO. 2
Violinsonate Nr. 7, c-Moll, op. 30 Nr. 2
8. I. Allegro con brio 7’41
9. II. Adagio cantabile 8‘46
10. III. Scherzo: Allegro 3‘16
11. IV. Finale: Allegro – Presto 5‘08

Fritz Kreisler violin Franz Rupp piano
recorded / aufgenommen Feb. 4th, 6th and 7th, 1936
Total Time 67‘19

CD 8

■ Ludwig van Beethoven (1770 – 1827)
VIOLIN SONATA NO. 8 IN G MAJOR, OP. 30 NO. 3
Violinsonate Nr. 8, G-Dur, op. 30 Nr. 3
1. I. Allegro assai 4‘11
2. II. Tempo di minuetto, ma molto moderato e grazioso 7‘04
3. III. Allegro vivace 3‘13

VIOLIN SONATA NO. 9 IN A MAJOR, OP. 47, (“KREUTZER”)
Violinsonate Nr. 9, A-Dur, op. 47, („Kreutzersonate“)
4. I. Adagio sostenuto – Presto 10‘51
5. II. Andante con variazioni: tema e variazioni 13‘38
6. III. Finale: Presto 8‘14

VIOLIN SONATA NO. 10 IN G MAJOR, OP. 96
Violinsonate Nr. 10, G-Dur, op. 96
7. I. Allegro moderato 7‘12
8. II. Adagio espressivo 5‘38
9. III. Scherzo: Allegro 2‘08
10. IV. Poco Allegretto 7‘48

Fritz Kreisler violin Franz Rupp piano
recorded / aufgenommen Feb. 5th and 6th (1-3), June 17th – 19th (4-6)
19th and 20th (7-10), 1936
Total Time 70‘08

CD 9

■ Ludwig van Beethoven (1770 – 1827)
VIOLIN SONATA NO. 8 IN G MAJOR, OP 30, NO. 3
Violinsonate Nr. 8, G-Dur, op. 30 Nr. 3
1. I. Allegro assai 4‘36
2. II. Tempo di minuetto, ma molto moderato e grazioso 7‘15
3. III. Allegro vivace 3‘25

VIOLIN SONATA NO. 8 IN G MAJOR, OP. 30, NO. 3
Violinsonate Nr. 8, G-Dur, op. 30, NO 3 (unissued alternate takes for vinyl
test pressing / unveröffentlichte Alternative für Vinyl-Testpressung)
4. I. Allegro assai 4‘32
5. II. Tempo di minuetto, ma molto moderato e grazioso 7‘17
6. III. Allegro vivace 3‘24

Fritz Kreisler violin Sergej Rachmaninov piano
recorded / aufgenommen March 22nd (1-3), Feb. 28th and March 22nd, 1928 (4-6)
Victor Studio 1, Camden, New Jersey

■ Franz Schubert (1797 – 1828)
VIOLIN SONATA NO. 5 IN A MAJOR, D 574 / Violinsonate Nr. 5, A-Dur, D 574
7. I. Allegro moderato 6‘18
8. II. Scherzo: Presto –Trio 4‘12
9. III. Andantino 3‘55
10. IV. Allegro vivace 5‘03

Fritz Kreisler violin Sergej Rachmaninov piano
recorded / aufgenommen Dec. 20th an 21st, 1928 Victor Studios, New York City

■ Edvard Grieg (1843 – 1907)
VIOLIN SONATA NO. 3 IN C MINOR, OP 45 / Violinsonate Nr. 3, c-Moll, op 45
11. I. Allegro molto ed appassionato 9‘00
12. II. Allegretto espressivo alla Romanza 6‘35
13. III. Allegro animato 7‘25

Fritz Kreisler violin Sergej Rachmaninov piano recorded / aufgenommen Sept. 14th
and 15th, 1928, Electrola Studio, Berlin Total Time 73‘12

CD 10

BONUS
■ Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756 – 1791)
VIOLIN CONCERTO NO. 4 IN D MAJOR , K. 218
Konzert für Violine und Orchester Nr. 4, D-Dur, KV. 218
1. I. Allegro 9‘29
2. II. Andante cantabile 8‘30
3. III. Rondeau: Andante grazioso 9‘07

Fritz Kreisler violin
London Philharmonic Orchestra
conductor / Dirigent Malcolm Sargent
recorded / aufgenommen 1939

■ Ludwig van Beethoven (1770 – 1827)
VIOLIN CONCERTO IN D MAJOR, OP. 61
Konzert für Violine und Orchester, D-Dur, op. 61
4. I. Allegro ma non troppo 23‘02
5. II. Larghetto 10‘38
6. III. Rondo: Allegro 10‘11

Fritz Kreisler violin
London Philharmonic Orchestra
conductor / Dirigent John Barbirolli
recorded / aufgenommen 1936
Total Time 71‘05