Kremer, Argerich – The Berlin Recital (2 CD, APE)

Performer: Gidon Kremer, Martha Argerich
Audio CD
SPARS Code: DDD
Number of Discs: 2
Format: APE (image+cue)
Label: EMI Classics
Size: 425 MB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: no

Disc 1
Robert Schumann
Violin Sonata No.2 in D minor, Op.121
1. I. Ziemlich langsam. – Lebhaft
2. II. Sehr lebhaft
3. III. Leise, einfach
4. IV. Bewegt

Bela Bartok
Solo Violin Sonata (1944)
5. I. Tempo di ciaccona
6. II. Fuga
7. III. Melodia
8. IV. Presto

Disc 2
Robert Schumann
Kinderszenen, Op.15
1. Von fremden Landern und Menschen
2. Kuriose Geschichte
3. Hasche-Mann
4. Bittendes Kind
5. Gluckes genug
6. Wichtige Begebenheit
7. Traumerei
8. Am Kamin
9. Ritter vom Steckenpferd
10. Fast zu ernst
11. Furchtenmachen
12. Kind im Einschlummern
13. Der Dichter spricht

Bela Bartok
Violin Sonata No.1 (1921)
14. I. Allegro appassionato
15. II. Adagio
16. III. Allegro
Encores

Fritz Kreisler
17. Liebesleid
18. Schon Rosmarin

CHALLENGING MUSIC WELL PLAYED

Two CDs, a program of Schumann and Bartok, with two short encores by Fritz Kreisler.

Argerich is a superb accompanist and there never has been any question of her talent –and forcefulness- as a soloist. She accompanies Kremer on Schumann and Bartok sonatas and solos on a series of short, eloquent pieces by Schumann. Kremer joins Argerich for the two sonatas and also plays Bartok’s sonata for solo violin.

Kremer is an intelligent and sensitive violinist –I have him on two other albums, one an homage to Piazzolla (thanks, Larry Powell!) and the other violin concertos by Philip Glass and Alfred Schnittke, and I like both albums quite a bit. On this recording, his tone, unfortunately, is thin, or maybe the miking is bad: in any case, it hurts him. I can’t forget the first recording of classical music that I bought –I was twenty-three. It was Bartok’s violin concerto, either David Oistrakh or Isaac Stern on violin. The violin was so strong and vibrant and that’s what I miss in Kremer’s recording. Both Schumann and Bartok beg for more force on these selections.

Still, these are wonderful compositions, played by sympathetic and talented musicians, and this is the only recording I have of any of these pieces.