Parnassus – Alto CD

Eleven Great Violinists of the 20th Century

amuletts — Mon, 02 Jun 2025 00:07:22 +0000

A treasury of expert transfers from iconic performances and arrangements by the greatest performers: each volume here from vintage periods of their careers

Eleven Great Violinists of the 20th Century

Elman – Haendel – Hassid – Heifetz – Kreisler

Menuhin – Milstein – Oistrakh – Rabin – Seidel – Szigeti

DISC 1: Mischa Elman [78:35]

Tchaikovsky – Violin Concerto in D major, Op.35 [34:18]

[1] Allegro moderato 18:37

[2] Canzonetta (Andante) 6:46

[3] Finale: Allegro vivacissimo 8:54

with London Symphony Orchestra / John Barbirolli / 1929

Queen’s Hall, London. First issued on HMV DB 1405/08

Encores: from Vanguard ATM 1656 (4-15 with Joseph Seiger, piano)

(1963 prod: Seymour Solomon from VRS 1049-1051)

[4] César Cui – Orientale, Op.50/9 2:02

[5] L.von Beethoven – Minuet in G, Woo10/2 2:34

[6] Fréderic Chopin – Nocturne in Eb, Op.9/2 5:21

[7] Francois-Joseph Gossec – Gavotte in D ‘Rosine’ 1:56

Hebraic Melodies: (Vanguard ATM 1882, 1963 prod: S. Solomon)

[8] Joseph Achron – Hebrew Melody, Op.33 5:43

[9] Josef Bonimé – Dance Hebraique 3:10

[10] George Perlman – Dance of The Rebbitzen 2:47

[11] Abraham Goldfaden – Raisins & Almonds (arr. Anthony Collins) 3:44

[12] Marc Lavry – Yemenite Wedding 3:48

[13] Joseph Sulzer – Sarabande 4:22

[14] César Espéjo – Airs Tziganes 3:24

[15] Pyotr Tchaikovsky – Melodie, Op.42 No.3 4:17

Re-mastering 2025: Paul Arden-Taylor

Disc 2: Ida Haendel / Josef Hassid [77:55]

Ida Haendel & Gerald Moore

[1] Andante and Presto –Tartini arr. Bridgewater CLP1021-1953 6:47

[2] Caprice in A Minor, Op.1 No.24 –Paganini CLP1021-1953 7:37

[3] Nigun (No.2 from ‘Baal Shem’) –Bloch CLP1021-1953 6:17

[4] Slavonic Dance E minor, Op.46 No.2 –

Dvořák arr Kreisler C4262 & 7P151 30/7/53 CLP1021 4:40

[5] Waltz in Ab major, Op.39/15 –

Brahms arr. Hochstein CLP1021-1953 2:27

[6] Six Romanian Folk Dances –Bartók arr. Székely CLP1021-1953 6:04

[7] Habanera –Ravel B9994-18/5/50 3:02

[8] Polonaise Brillante No.1 –Wieniawski C3818-21/9/48 4:34

[9] Scherzo Impromptu –Grieg B10135-18/5/50 2:24

[10] Hoe Down (Rodeo) –Copland B9994 18/5/50 2:56

Josef Hassid & Gerald Moore (3 recording sessions, 1940)

[11] Mélodie, Op.42 No.3 –Tchaikovsky OEA8550 B9074 3:10

[12] Humoresque, Op.101 No.7 –Dvořák arr. Kreisler 2EA9052: C3219 3:26

[13] Meditation (Thais) –Massenet arr. Marsick 2EA9053; C3208 4:00

[14] La Capricieuse, Op.17 –Elgar OEA8803; B9074 3:25

[15] Playera, Op.23/1 (Danzas Españolas No.5)–Sarasate 2EA8801 C3185 4:07

[16] Zapateado, Op.23/2 (Danzas Españolas No.6)–Sarasate 2EA8802 C3185 3:30

[17] Caprice Viennois, Op.2 –Kreisler 2EA8900; C3208 3:43

[18] Hebrew Melody, Op.33 –Achron 2EA9051: C3219 4:41

Originally Produced for HMV by Walter Legge

Audio restoration 2023: Gene Gaudette; Final Master: Paul Arden-Taylor

Disc 3: Jascha Heifetz [73:45]

Korngold: Violin Concerto in D, Op.35 [21:33] (Rec.1953)

with the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orcherstra / Alfred Wallenstein

[1] I: Moderato nobile 7:52 [2] II: Andante 7:11

[3] III: Allegro assai vivace 6:30

Lalo: Symphonie Espagnole, Op.21 [23:56] (Rec.1951)

with the RCA Victor Symphony Orchestra / William Steinberg

N.B. The third movement of ‘Symphonie Espagnole’ was not recorded

[4] I: Allegro non troppo 7:17 [5] II: Scherzando 4:21

[6] IV:Andante 5:44 [7] V: Rondo 6:34

George Gershwin Encores with Emanuel Bay (Piano) (Rec.1944)

[8] Gershwin (arr.Heifetz): Prelude No.1 1:31

[9] Gershwin (arr.Heifetz): Prelude No.2 2:50

[10] Gershwin (arr.Heifetz): Prelude No.3 1:14

[11] Gershwin (from ‘Porgy and Bess’): Summertime 1:46

[12] Gershwin (from ‘Porgy and Bess’): A Woman Is A Sometime Thing 1:49

[13] Gershwin (from ‘Porgy and Bess’): My Man’s Gone Now 3:54

[14] Gershwin (from ‘Porgy and Bess’): It Ain’t Necessarily So 2:29

[15] Gershwin (from ‘Porgy and Bess’): Tempo di Blues 2:53

[16] Gershwin (from ‘Porgy and Bess’): Bess, You Is My Woman Now 3:02

********************************************************************

[17] Trad.: Deep River (with Milton Kaye, Piano Rec.1944) 2:20

[18] Weill (arr.Frenkel) (from ‘The Threepenny Opera’): Moderato assai 2:18

with Emmanuel Bay (Piano) Rec.1944

[19] Benjamin (arr.Primrose): Jamaican Rumba /Milton Kaye (Piano, 1944 1:36

Re-mastering 2025 Paul Arden-Taylor

Disc 4: Fritz Kreisler [79:17]

His Arrangements and Compositions [*K = Arranged]

1926 with Arpád Sándor (piano)

[1] May Breeze (Mendelssohn: Songs without Words)*K 2:43

1926-8 with Carl Lamson (piano)

[2] Deep in My Heart, Dear (Romberg)*K 3:14

[3] At Dawning (Cadman) 2:33

[4] En Bateau (Debussy/arr. Choisnel)) 3:09

[5] The Girl with Flaxen Hair (Debussy/arr. Hartmann) 2:29

[6] Ruralia – Molto vivace (exc) (Dohnányi) 2:07

[7] Mighty lak’ a Rose (Trad.)*K 2:11

[8] The Rosary (Nevin)*K 2:02

[9] Indian Lament (Dvořák)*K 4:22

[10] Songs My Mother Taught Me (Dvořák)*K 2:40

[11] Blue Skies (Irving Berlin)*K 3:37

1927 &1930 with Michael Raucheisen (piano)

[12] Syncopation (Kreisler)[Trio MR also Hugo Kreisler, cello] 1927 1:58

[13] Marche Miniature Viennoise (Kreisler) [Trio also Hugo] 1927 2:54

[14] Intermezzo 2nd Suite L’Arlesienne (Bizet)*K [Trio, 1927] 4:28

[15] Chanson de Louis X111 (Kreisler in style of Couperin) 3:37

[16] Ballet de Rosamunde (Schubert)*Kreisler 2:59

[17] Polichinelle/Pulcinella – Serenade (Kreisler) 2:19

[18] Serenade Espangole (Glazunov)*K 2:37

[19] The Old Refrain (Brandl)*K 3:10

[20] Scherzo alla Dittersdorf (Kreisler in style of ) [Kreisler Quartet:

Thomas Petre, William Primrose and Lauri Kennedy] (1935) 3:20

1936-8 with Franz Rupp (piano)

[21] Hymn to the Sun (Rimsky-Korsakov- Coq d’Or)*K 4:00

[22] Spanish Dance (Falla-La Vida Breve)*K 3:29

[23] Song of India (Rimsky-Korsakov -Sadko)*K 3:13

[24] Dancing Doll (Poldini)*K 2:24

[25] La Gitana (Kreisler) 3:06

[26] Tambourin Chinois (Kreisler) 3:26

Re-mastering 2024 Paul Arden-Taylor

Disc 5: Yehudi Menuhin [78:50]

‘The Young Menuhin’

Schumann – Violin Concerto in D minor [26:59]

[1] I. In kräftigem, nicht zu schnellem Tempo 12:23

[2] II. Langsam 5:48 [3] Lebhaft, doch nicht zu schnell 8:47

New York Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra / John Barbirolli (1938)

Brahms: Hungarian Dances (arr Joachim)

[4] No.1 in G minor 2:49 [5] No.7 in A major 1:58

with Marcel Gazelle (piano) (1936)

Enescu: Sonata No.3 in A minor, Op.25 [23:33]

[6] I. Moderato malinconico 7:55

[7] II. Andante sostenuto e misterioso 8:19

[8] III. Allegro con brio, ma non troppo mosso 7:19

with Hephzibah Menuhin (piano) (1936)

Vieuxtemps: Violin Concerto No.4 in D minor, Op.31 [23:10]

[9] I. Andante – Moderato 6:49 [10] II. Adagio religioso 6:23

[11] III. Scherzo & Trio 4:16 [12] IV. Finale: Allegro 5:41

with Philharmonia Orchestra / Walter Susskind (1951)

Re-mastering 2025 Paul Arden-Taylor

Disc 6: Nathan Milstein [79:08]

(with Leon Pommers piano)

1. Smetana – From Má Vlast (No.2) 4:39

2. Gluck arr.Kreisler – Dance of the Blessed Spirits 2:45

3. Wieniawski – Mazurka Op.19 No.2 3:13

4. Vivaldi – Siciliano from Concerto in E flat ‘Il Retiro’ 3:09

5. Kodály arr. Milstein – It Rains in the Village 1:30

6. Chopin arr.Milstein – Nocturne C sharp minor No.20, op.posth. 3:39

7. Ries – Perpetuum mobile 2:45

8. Nardini – Larghetto from Sonata in B flat 2:49

9. Brahms arr.Joachim – Hungarian Dance No.2 in D minor 3:08

10. Massenet arr.Marsick – Meditation from Thais 4:03

11. Stravinsky arr. Dushkin – Russian Maiden’s Song 3:15

12. Paradis arr. Dushkin – Sicilienne 2:39

13. Rimsky-Korsakov arr.Hartmann – Flight of the Bumblebee 1:15

14. Brahms arr.Hochstein – Waltz Op.39 No.15 1:26

15. Poldini arr. Kreisler – The Dancing Doll 2:34

16. Wieniawski – Polonaise brillante No.1 in D, Op.4) 4:25

17. Falla arr.Kochanski – Asturiana 2:19

18. Falla arr.Kochanski – Jota 2:44

19. Ravel – Berceuse on the name of Gabriel Fauré 2:05

20. Sarasate – Romanza Andaluza 4:08

21. Schumann arr.Hullweck – Traumerei 2:33

22. J.S.Bach arr.Wilhelmj – Air from Suite No.3 4:39

23. Novacek – Perpetuum Mobile 2:37

24. Tchaikovsky – Melodie 3:32

25. Debussy arr.Hartmann- The Maid with the Flaxen Hair 2:08

26. Wieniawski – Scherzo-Tarantelle Op.16 3:43

[HMV recordings from 3 LPs 1958-62] Re-mastering 2023 Paul Arden-Taylor

Disc 7: David Oistrakh [75:23]

Mozart: Sinfonia Concertante in Eb major, K364 [30:34]

[1] Allegro maestoso 12:50

[2] Andante 11:54

[3] Presto 5:49

Violin Concerto No.3 in G major, K216 [23:17]

[4] Allegro 8:44

[5] Adagio 8:17

[6] Rondeau: Allegro 6:15

Moscow Chamber Orchestra / Rudolf Barshai (also Viola in K364)

Violin Concerto No.1 in Bb major, K207* [21:14]

[7] Allegro moderato 7:22

[8] Adagio 7:49

[9] Presto 6:02

Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra / Kirill Kondrashin*

Originally issued: Artia (1-3, 1960); M.K (4-6, 1960); Artia (7-9, 1963)

All recorded in Moscow; New digital master 2022 by Paul Arden-Taylor

Disc 8: Michael Rabin [74:53]

from Parnassus Complete Bell Telephone Hours Recordings

1. Paganini: Caprice No.17 (7 August 1950) 3:16

2. Kreisler: Tambourin Chinois (2 February 1962) 3:39

3. Saint-Saens: Introduction & Rondo Capriccioso (17/12/51) 8:50

4. Sarasate: Zigeunerweisen (24 October 1955) 7:55

5. Saint-Saens: Havanaise (10 May 1954) 9:18

6. Elgar: La capricieuse (23 August 1954) 3:53

7. Kreisler: Liebesleid (23 August 1954) 3:30

8. Suk: Burleska (28 March 1955) 2:40

9. Brahms: Violin Concerto – finale (13 June 1955) 7:34

10. Engel: Sea Shell (18 June 1956) 2:49

11. Saint-Saens/Ysaye: Caprice (18 June 1956) 6:05

12. Bruch: Scottish Fantasia – 3rd movement (3 June 1957) 2:03

13. Bruch: Scottish Fantasia – 4th movement (3 June 1957) 6:40

14. Gardner: From the Canebreak (3 February 1958) 1:23

15. Sarasate: Habanera (3 February 1958) 4:05

Re-mastering 2023/24: Gene Gaudette (Urlicht NYC)

Disc 9: Toscha Seidel [79:34]

‘Rare & Re-mastered’

1. Hebrew Melody Achron, arr. Zimbalist, Op.33 3:46

Philip Goodman, pf, ex Columbia 98615 50133-D 30.1.29

2. Schön Rosmarin Kreisler 1:46

Emanuel Bay, pf, ex Columbia W144855 DB 29 13.10.27

3. Liebesfreud Kreisler 2:48

Emanuel Bay, pf, ex Columbia W144862 DB 29 14.10.27

4. Ave Maria Schubert, arr. Wilhelmj 4:30

Philip Goodman, pf, ex Columbia 98616 50133-D 30.1.29

5. Romance Wieniawski: Concerto No.2 D minor, Op.22 (II) 4:23

Louis T. Gruenberg, pf, ex Columbia 49447 7361 17.6.18

6. Hejre Kati Hubay: Scenes from the Csàrda, Op.32 No.4 3:55

Louis T. Gruenberg, pf, ex Columbia 49630 49630 7.5.19

7. Caprice viennois Kreisler, Op.2 4:23

Louis T. Gruenberg, pf, ex Columbia 49449 7231 18/19.6.19

8. Serenade (Ständchen) Schubert, arr. Elman 3:44

Louis T. Gruenberg, pf, ex Columbia 49453 7361 20.6.18

9. Andante Lalo: Symphonie Espagnole, Op.21 – (IV) 4:23

With orchestra ex Columbia 98099 68021-D 9.10.23

10. Finale Mendelssohn: Concerto in D minor, Op.64 (IV) 2:46

With orchestra ex Columbia 98111 68021-D 20.12.23

11. Orientale Cui: (from Kaleidoscope Op.50) 2:37

With orchestra ex Columbia 78138 33027-D 22.10.18

12. Valse Bleue Margis 2:17

Harry Kaufman, pf , ex Columbia 78760 33041-D 27.10.19

13. Indian Snake Dance Burleigh 2:12

Francisco Longo, pf, ex Columbia 80821 33002-D 19.5.23

14. Chanson Arabe Rimsky-Korsakov (Scheherazade) arr Kreisler 3:14

Francisco Longo, pf, ex Columbia 80825 33002-D 2.2.23

15. Prelude (Le Déluge) Saint-Saens 4:07

Max Rabinwitsch, pf, ex Columbia 09505 98276-4-C 11.6.26

16. Minuet in G (Humoresques) Paderewski 3:49

Harry Kaufman, pf, ex Columbia 49950 68029-D 15.3.21

17. Canzonetta d’Ambrosio 3:34

Harry Kaufman, pf, ex Columbia 49689 68072-D 5.11.19

18. Chausson: Poème Live radio broadcast from Hollywood Bowl, 1945 17:46

Hollywood Bowl Symphony / Leopold Stokowski

19. I’m Forever Blowing Bubbles Kellette 2:45

Harry Kaufman, pf, ex Columbia 78798 11.7.19

[1-10] With thanks to Raymond Glaspole for raw masters!

Audio restoration: Gene Gaudette; Final master: Paul Arden-Taylor, 2022

Disc 10: Joseph Szigeti [76:55]

1. J S Bach: Chaconne from Partita No.2 in D minor 16:05

(Vanguard ATMCD 1246, rec 1955/56, New York)

Beethoven: Sonata No.4 in A minor, Op.23 [16:47] (ATMCD 1585)

2. Presto 5:32

3. Andante scherzoso piu allegretto 6:08

4. Allegro molto 5:06

with Claudio Arrau (piano): Library of Congress Washington, 1944)

Bartok: Rhapsody No.1 [9:07] with Béla Bartók (piano)

5. Lassu 4:12 6. Friss 4:55

(Vanguard 1583, Library of Congress, Washington, 1940)

Bloch: Violin Concerto in A minor [34:30]

7. Allegro deciso 18:07

8. Andante 6:10

9. Deciso 10:12

Paris Conservatoire Orchestra / Charles Munch (1939, Paris)

Re-mastering: Gene Gaudette & Paul Arden-Taylor 20

UNPUBLISHED: Albert Spalding and Ernst von Dohnányi

amuletts — Mon, 02 Jun 2025 00:06:26 +0000

Their friendship resumed in earnest after the war in America. On a trip to New York, Dohnanyi and Spalding gave a number of performances together. While Spalding was resident in Boston, he also spent some time teaching at Florida State.
The collaborations were recorded by the University radio station. Dohnanyi’s student Edward Kilenyi, preserved these tapes and eventually donated them to the International Piano Archives at Maryland, which kindly made them available for this publication.

Johann Sebastian Bach: Violin Sonata No. 3 in E Major, BWV1016
1	I. Adagio – Allegro
2	II. Adagio ma non tanto
3	III. Allegro

Ludwig van Beethoven: Violin Sonata No. 10 in G Major, Op. 96
4	I. Allegro moderato
5	II. Adagio espressive
6	III. Scherzo. Allegro
7	IV. Poco allegretto

Ernst von Dohnányi: Violin Sonata in C-Sharp Minor, Op. 21
8	I. Allegro appassionato
9	II. Allegro ma con tenerezza
10	III. Vivace assai

with Ernő/Ernst von Dohnányi, piano

Franz Schubert: Violin Sonata in A Major, D574
11	I. Allegro moderato
12	II. Scherzo. Presto
13	III. Andantino
14	IV. Allegro vivace

15	Maurice Ravel: Piece en forme de habanera
with Anthony Kooiker, ca 1950

UNPUBLISHED: Michael Rabin

amuletts — Sun, 10 Nov 2024 00:04:05 +0000

Six months before his death, Michael Rabin told an interviewer, “If I were to start recording again, I’d do the Beethoven and Brahms Concertos.” . However, with this issue we get to hear Rabin playing the Beethoven Concerto at last.

Rabin’s world premiere performance of his commissioned Creston Concerto No.2, with Sir Georg Solti, has been previously issued not not this one from Arlanta. He gave only three further performances of it.

UNPUBLISHED: Michael Rabin

Ludwig van Beethoven

Violin Concerto in D Major, Op.61 [42:11]

1. Allegro ma non troppo 23:14

2. Larghetto 9:26

3. Rondo. Allegro 9:21

National Orchestral Association; John Barnett, conductor

c. 1960

Paul Creston

Violin Concerto No.2, Op.78 [22:05]

1. Allegro 6:42

2. Andante 9:57

3. Presto 5:26

Atlanta Symphony Orchestra; Henry Sopkin, conductor

January 27, 1961

Mastered by Gene Gaudette, Urlicht Audio/Visual, NYC

Michael Rabin on the Bell Telephone Hour: 1954/62

amuletts — Wed, 04 Sep 2024 00:07:05 +0000

The final part complete issue of Rabin’s Bell Telephone Hour broadcasts, remastered from superior source material:

Disc 1 [64:47]

[1] Kreisler: Liebesleid 3:34

[2] Nováček: Moto perpetuo 2:39

August 23, 1954

[3] Rachmaninoff-Kreisler: Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini,

Op.43 – Variation 18 2:29

[4] Suk: Burleska, Op.17, No.4 2:44

[5] Tchaikovsky: Violin Concerto in D, Op.35 – Finale 8:46

March 28, 1955

[6] Mendelssohn: Violin Concerto in E Minor, Op.64 – Finale 6:10

[7] Massenet: Elegie, Op.10, No.5 (Brian Sullivan, tenor) 3:11

May 16, 1955

[8] Dvořák-Kreisler: Slavonic Dance in E Minor, Op.72, No.2 4:09

[9] Kreisler: La chasse 1:41

[10] Brahms: Violin Concerto in D, Op.77 – Finale 7:36

June 13, 1955

[11] Mendelssohn-Achron: On Wings of Song, Op.34, No.2 3:45

[12] Kroll: Banjo and Fiddle 2:45

[13] Sarasate: Zigeunerweisen, Op.20 7:58

October 24, 1955

[14] Engel-Zimbalist: Sea Shell 2:52

[15] Mendelssohn-Heifetz: Song Without Words, Op.19, No.1

(“Sweet Remembrance”) 2:56

[16] Prokofieff-Heifetz: Love for 3 Oranges, Op.33 – March 1:25

June 18, 1956

Disc 2 [63:36]

[1] Saint-Saens-Ysaye: Caprice d’après “Etude en forme de valse”,

Op.52, No.6 6:08

June 18, 1956

[2] Brandl-Kreisler: The Old Refrain 3:00

[3] Tchaikovsky: Violin Concerto in D, Op.35 – 1st movement 12:18

[4] Sarasate: Romanza Andaluza, Op.22, No.1 4:54

[5] Wieniawski-Sarasate: Caprice in A Minor 1:26

[6] Bruch: Scottish Fantasy, Op.46 – 3rd movement 2:02

[7] Bruch: Scottish Fantasy, Op.46 – 4th movement 6:45

June 3, 1957

[8] Godowsky-Heifetz: Alt Wien 2:32

[9] Samuel Gardner: From the Canebreak 1:27

[10] Sarasate: Habanera, Op.21, No.2 4:08

[11] Bruch: Violin Concerto No.1 in G Minor, Op.26 – finale 6:36

February 3, 1958

[12] Kreisler: Caprice Viennois 4:20

[13] Kreisler: Tambourin Chinois 3:43

February 2, 1962

BONUS [not ‘Bell Hour’]

[14] Bach: Double Concerto in D Minor, BWV 1043 – I. Vivace 4:12

(Zino Francescatti & Michael Rabin, violins) (April 28, 1952)

Michael Rabin, violin

Bell Telephone Orchestra / Donald Voorhees, conductor

Remastered by Gene Gaudette, Urlicht Audio/Visual, NYC

Fritz Kreisler: Encores 1926-38

amuletts — Wed, 04 Sep 2024 00:06:29 +0000

Kreisler’s playing style can be characterised as intense with a strong vibrato. His expressive use of portamenti (slides) hark back to an earlier era and he was criticised early in his career by Carl Flesch.. Like Stokowski, Kreisler’s arrangements and ‘improvements’ of the classics have also been criticised, but others consider these arrangements to be small gems of perfection. Some find his own compositions overly sentimental and quaint, but his own recordings of these pieces are remarkably free from schmalz

Fritz Kreisler: Encores 1926-38

(arranged, composed & more)

1926 with Arpád Sándor (piano)

[1] May Breeze (Mendelssohn: Songs without Words)*K 2:39

1926-8 with Carl Lamson (piano)

[2] Deep in My Heart, Dear (Romberg)*K 3:14

[3] At Dawning (Cadman) 2:36

[4] En Bateau (Debussy/arr. Choisnel)) 3:08

[5] The Girl with Flaxen Hair (Debussy/arr. Hartmann) 2:26

[6] Ruralia – Molto vivace (exc) (Dohnányi) 2:05

[7] Mighty lak’ a Rose (Trad.)*K 2:11

[8] The Rosary (Nevin)*K 2:02

[9] Indian Lament (Dvořák)*K 4:23

[10] Songs My Mother Taught Me (Dvořák)*K 2:40

[11] Blue Skies (Irving Berlin)*K 3:37

1927 &1930 with Michael Raucheisen (piano)

[12] Syncopation (Kreisler)[Trio MR also Hugo Kreisler, cello] 1927 1:58

[13] Marche Miniature Viennoise (Kreisler) [Trio with Hugo] 1927 2:55

[14] Intermezzo 2nd Suite L’Arlesienne (Bizet)*K [Trio, 1927] 4:30

[15] Chanson de Louis X111 (Kreisler in style of Couperin) 3:38

[16] Ballet de Rosamunde (Schubert)*K 2:59

[17] Polichinelle/Pulcinella – Serenade (Kreisler) 2:19

[18] Serenade Espangole (Glazunov)*K 2:37

[19] The Old Refrain (Brandl)*K 3:10

[20] Scherzo alla Dittersdorf (Kreisler in style of ) [Kreisler Quartet:

Thomas Petre, William Primrose and Lauri Kennedy] (1935) 3:20

1936-8 with Franz Rupp (piano)

[21] Hymn to the Sun (Rimsky-Korsakov- Le Coq d’Or)*K 4:00

[22] Spanish Dance (Falla-La Vida Breve)*K 3:30

[23] Song of India (Rimsky-Korsakov -Sadko)*K 3:15

[24] Dancing Doll (Poldini)*K 2:25

[25] La Gitana (Kreisler) 3:09

[26] Tambourin Chinois (Kreisler) 3:25

Re-masterd by Paul Arden-Taylor and Gene Gaudette (UAV, NYC)

Total Time 79:20 [*K = Arranged by Kreisler]

Michael Rabin on the Bell Telephone Hour: 1950/54

amuletts — Wed, 15 May 2024 00:08:38 +0000

The first complete issue of Rabin’s Bell Telephone Hour broadcasts, remastered from superior source material: final discs to follow soon”

Disc 1 [77:41]

[1] Mendelssohn-Heifetz: On Wings of Song, Op.34, No.2 3:43

[2] Paganini: Caprice No.17 3:19

[3] Mendelssohn: Violin Concerto in E Minor, Op.64 – finale 6:08

August 7, 1950

[4] Mendelssohn-Kreisler: May Breezes, Op.62, No.1

(Songs without Words) 2:42

[5] Kreisler: Tambourin Chinois 3:30

[6] Tchaikovsky: Violin Concerto in D, Op.35 – finale 8:48

December 11, 1950

[7] Dvořák-Kreisler: Slavonic Dance No.10 4:02

[8] Kroll: Banjo and Fiddle 2:44

[9] Lalo: Symphonie Espagnole, Op. 21 – V. Rondo 6:38

July 9, 1951

[10] Godowsky-Heifetz: Alt Wien 2:45

[11] Tchaikovsky: Violin Concerto in D, Op.35 – 1st movement 12:44

October 22, 1951

[12] Brahms-Heifetz: Contemplation, Op.105, No.1 2:12

[13] Kreisler: Caprice Viennois 4:01

[14] Saint-Saens: Introduction & Rondo Capriccioso, Op.28 8:54

December 17, 1951

[15] Glazunov: Violin Concerto in A Minor, Op.82 – finale 5:25

Disc 2 [77:48]

[1] Mendelssohn-Heifetz: Song Without Words, Op.19, No.1

(“Sweet Remembrance”) 3:01

[2] Wieniawski-Kreisler: Caprice in A Minor 1:30

[3] Wieniawski: Polonaise in D 4:56

July 9, 1952

[4] Chopin-Milstein: Nocturne in C# Minor, Op.Posth. 3:49

[5] Falla-Kreisler: La Vida Breve–Spanish Dance 3:16

[6] Sarasate: Zigeunerweisen, Op.20 8:20

September 10, 1952

[7] Engel-Zimbalist: Sea Shell 2:45

[8] Brandl-Kreisler: The Old Refrain 3:06

[9] Scriabin-Szigeti: Etude, Op.8, No.10 in D Flat 1:39

[10] Vieuxtemps: Violin Concerto No.5, Op. 37 – II (abridged) 3:11

[11] Vieuxtemps: Violin Concerto No.5, Op. 37 – III 3:18

August 17, 1953

[12] Sarasate: Carmen Fantasy, Op. 25 (parts 3 & 4) 4:25

[13] Mendelssohn: Violin Concerto in E Minor, Op. 64 – 1st mvt. 12:08

November 9, 1953

[14] Saint-Saens: Havanaise, Op.83 9:21

[15] Debussy-Hartmann:Preludes Book 1:La fille aux cheveux de lin 2:34

[16] Paganini-Kreisler: Moto perpetuo 3:15

May 10, 1954

[17] Moszkowski-Sarasate: Guitarre 3:10

[18] Elgar: La capricieuse, Op.17 3:55

August 23, 1954

RE-mastered by Gene Gaudette (Urlicht New York)

William Primrose: Viola Treasures

amuletts — Wed, 15 May 2024 00:07:37 +0000

“depth of rich and floated tone … pizzicato spot on … rhythmic nuances conveyed with dazzling precision” “These reveal Primrose in all his technical and expressive glory. The range of tone-colours is phenomenal, the left hand’s digital dexterity… the bow arm’s seductive slowness or biting incision” (MusicWeb) All newly re-mastered

Béla Bartók: Concerto for Viola, Sz120 (completed Serly) [21:11]

[1] I. Moderato 11:24 [2] II. Adagio religioso – III. Allegro vivace 9:46

New Symphony Orchestra conducted by Tibor Serly; Kingsway Hall, London, 1951

Felix Mendelssohn: Octet in E flat major, Op.20 [28:00]

with Jascha Heifetz, Gregor Piatigorsky, violins: Israel Baker, Arnold Belnick,

Joseph Stepansky, viola 2: Virginia Majewski; cello 2: Gabor Rejto; rec.1961

[3] I. Allegro moderato ma con fuoco 12:45 [4] II. Andante 5:35

[5] III. Scherzo 4:18 [6] IV. Presto 5:22

William Walton: Concerto for Viola (1929) [22:31]

Philharmonia Orchestra conducted by Sir William Walton, London, July 1946

[7] I. Andante comodo 7:31 [8] II. Vivo con molto preciso 3:48

[9] III. Allegro moderato 11:11

[10] Niccolò Paganini: Violin Concerto No.2 in B minor, Op.7 [3:58]

III. Rondo – ‘La Campanella’(arr.Kreisler for violin, then for viola by Primrose)

Recorded: 1937; Harry Isaacs, piano

[11] S. Foster: I Dream of Jeannie with the Light Brown Hair [3:34]

(arr.Heifetz for violin/piano, then for viola by Primrose) with piano accompaniment;

Recording of the US Forces Radio Service 1943

Elisabeth Schumann’s Swan Song

amuletts — Wed, 07 Feb 2024 01:49:30 +0000

“The last recordings of one of the greatest Lieder singers of the 20th century” (Leslie Gerber)

Felix Mendelssohn

[1] Das Erste Veilchen (Ebert) 2:28

[2] Die Liebende Schreibt (Goethe) 2:53

[3] Bei Den Weige (Klingemann) 3:12

[4] Der Mond (Geibel) 2:08

[5] Fruhlingslied (Schwäbisch) 1:52

Robert Franz

[6] Aus Meinem Grossen Schmerzen, Op.5, No.1 1:16

[7] Voglein Wohin, Op.1, No.11 1:24

[8] Stille Sicherheit, Op.10, No.2 1:49

[9] Bitte, Op.9, No.3 1:17

[10] Liebchen ist da, Op.5, No.2 0:56

[11] Mutter, o sing mich zur Ruh, Op.10, No.3 1:55

[12] Gute Nacht, Op.5, No.7 1:18

[13] Widmung, Op.14, No.1 1:33

Hugo Wolf

[14] Bedeckt mich mit Blumen (Spanisches Liederbuch) 3:07

[15] Gesegnet sei das Grün (Italienisches Liederbuch) 1:29

[16] O wär Dein Haus durchsichtig wie ein Glas

(Italienisches Liederbuch) 1:56

[17] Ihr jungen Leute (Italienisches Liederbuch) 1:09

[18] Wie glänzt der helle Mond (Keller) 3:08

[19] Du denkst, mit einem Fädchen mich zu fangen

(Italienisches Liederbuch) 1:06

[20] In der Frühe (“kein Schlaf noch kühlt das Auge mir”)

(Mörike Lieder) 2:45

[21] Sie blasen zum Abmarsch (Spanisches Liederbuch) 2:51

[22] Blumengrass (Goethe Lieder) 1:27

[23] Nun wandre, Maria (Spanisches Liederbuch) 3:13

[24] Als ich auf dem Euphrat Schiffte (Goethe) 1:23

[25] Ein Ständchen euch zu bringen (Italienisches Liederbuch) 1:22

[26] Verborgenheit (Mörike) 3:12

[27] Phanomen (Goethe) 2:05

[28] Anakreons’ Grab (Goethe) 2:51

[29] Nimmersatte Liede (Mörike) 2:35

[30] Frage und Antwort (Mörike) 2:17

[31] R. Strauss: Morgen 3:30

(30/31 from acoustical Odeons, accompaniment unknown)

[32] R. Strauss: Morgen incl. master class) 8:20

The Young Malcolm Frager

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:48:57 +0000

“A master. There can be no doubt of his place among the top pianists of his generation.” [New York Times] “Unbelievable technique, marvellous facility, poetry and a beautiful touch.” [Le Figaro, Paris

Prokofiev: Piano Concerto No.2 in G Minor, Op.16 [30:45]

[1] I. Andantino—Allegretto 10:48

[2] II. Scherzo. Vivace 2:48

[3] III. Intermezzo. Allegro moderato 6:06

[4] IV. Finale. Allegro tempestoso 11:03

Orchestre de la Société des Concerts du Conservatoire, Paris

René Leibowitz, conductor

Haydn: Piano Sonata in E-flat Major, L.51, Hob. XVI:38 [11:42]

[5] I. Allegro Moderato 4:27

[6] II. Adagio 4:17

[7] III. Finale. Allegro 2:58

recorded Paris,1960, Producers: Charles Gerhardt and Peter Dellheim

Bartók: Sonata for Two Pianos and Percussion, Sz.110, BB 115 [27:04]

[8] I. Assai lento – Allegro molto 13:35

[9] II. Lento, ma non troppo 7:02

[10] III. Allegro non troppo 6:27

Vladimir Ashkenazy, piano II; Ruslan Nikulin & Valentin Snegirev, percussion;

recorded in the Soviet Union, 1963; producer/engineer unknown

Inez Matthews sings Schubert (Black Swans series)

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:48:56 +0000

“Recording these works today has become a rite of passage for singers aspiring to being accepted as mature interpreters, also true for violinists with the Bach Unaccompanied Sonatas and for cellists, with the same composer’s unaccompanied Suites. It was not always so. When Ms. Matthews taped her reading of these songs about 1953-4, there had been only a few 78 sets of each and another few on LP.

Disc 1 [63:27] Schubert: Die schöne Müllerin, D.795

1. Das Wandern (“Wandering”) 2:42

2, Wohin? (“Where to?”) 2:06

3. Halt! (“Stop!”) 1:36

4. Danksagung an den Bach (“Thanksgiving to the Brook”) 2:24

5. Am Feierabend (“Evening’s Rest”) 2:42

6. Der Neugierige (“The Inquirer”) 3:48

7. Ungeduld (“Impatience”) 2:39

8. Morgengruß (“Morning Greeting”) 5:03

9. Des Müllers Blumen (“The Miller’s Flowers”) 3:30

10. Tränenregen (“Rain of Tears”) 3:48

11. Mein! (“Mine!”) 2:23

12. Pause (“Interlude”) 5:39

13. Mit dem grünen Lautenbande (“With the Green Lute Ribbon”) 2:25

14. Der Jäger (“The Hunter”) 1:20

15. Eifersucht und Stolz (“Jealousy and Pride”) 1:35

16. Die liebe Farbe (“The Beloved Colour”) 4:41

17. Die böse Farbe (“The Hateful Colour”) 2:03

18. Trockne Blumen (“Withered Flowers”) 3:20

19. Der Müller und der Bach (“The Miller and the Brook”) 4:14

20. Des Baches Wiegenlied (“The Brook’s Lullaby”) 5:15

Disc 2 [67:49] Schubert: Winterreise, D. 911

1. Gute Nacht (“Good Night”) 5:32

2. Die Wetterfahne (“The Weathervane“) 1:54

3. Gefror’ne Tränen (“Frozen Tears”) 2:42

4. Erstarrung (“Frozen”) 2:57

5. Der Lindenbaum (“The Linden Tree”) 4:14

6. Wasserflut (“Flood) 3:35

7. Auf dem Flusse (“On the Stream”) 3:31

8. Rückblick (“Backwards Glance”) 2:12

9. Irrlicht (“Will o’ th Wisp”) 2:21

10. Rast (“Rest”) 3:40

11. Frühlingstraum (“Dream of Spring”) 3:46

12. Einsamkeit (“Loneliness”) 2:25

13. Die Post (“The Post”) 2:10

14. Der greise Kopf (“The Gray Head”) 2:57

15. Die Krähe (“The Crow”) 2:10

16. Letzte Hoffnung (“Last Hope”) 2:24

17. Im Dorfe (“In the Village”) 2:24

18. Der stürmische Morgen (“The Stormy Morning”) 1:00

19. Täuschung (“Deception”) 1:23

20. Der Wegweiser (“The Signpost”) 3:34

21. Das Wirtshaus (“The Inn”) 3:31

22. Mut! (“Have Courage”) 1:26

23. Die Nebensonnen (“The Sun Dogs”) 2:40

24. Der Leiermann (“The Hurdy-Gurdy Man”) 2:38

All above with Lowell Farr, piano

Audio restoration by Steve Smolian, Smolian Sound Studios

Produced by Steve Smolian and Leslie Gerber