[Classical] Various Artists - Ultimate Violin Classics (2007) (5CD) [APE]

Various Artists - Ultimate Violin Classics (2007) (5CD)
| APE (Tracks+Cue) | 1.70GB | Classical, Violin, Instrumental | Decca Music Group Ltd. |

The Ultimate Violin Classics 5-CD collection, released in 2007 by Decca, is an expansive and deeply rewarding journey through the violin’s greatest repertoire. With over 1.70GB of lossless audio, this anthology highlights the expressive breadth of the instrument across concertos, sonatas, and celebrated miniature pieces, performed by some of the twentieth century’s most distinguished violinists.

The set opens with Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in E minor and Bruch’s Violin Concerto No. 1, both masterpieces of the Romantic tradition. The fiery passion of “Allegro molto appassionato” and the lush lyricism of Bruch’s Adagio immediately showcase the violin’s emotional intensity. These works are followed by Saint-Saëns’ Havanaise and Introduction et Rondo capriccioso, performed with dazzling virtuosity and charm.

CD2 is devoted to Mozart’s Violin Concertos Nos. 3–5, interpreted with elegance and classical poise. Henryk Szeryng’s performances with the New Philharmonia Orchestra capture Mozart’s balance of grace and vitality, from the lyrical Adagio to the buoyant Rondeau.

The third disc turns to Beethoven, featuring the monumental “Kreutzer” Sonata and the luminous “Spring” Sonata. David Oistrakh, accompanied by Lev Oborin, delivers a performance of authority and tenderness, highlighting Beethoven’s profound interplay between violin and piano.

CD4 gathers an enchanting mix of short works, ranging from Gluck’s Dance of the Blessed Spirits to Kreisler’s charming miniatures like Liebesleid and Schon Rosmarin. Arthur Grumiaux’s refined tone and artistry illuminate these gems, providing a contrast to the grander concertos.

The final disc continues with lyrical masterpieces, including Schubert’s Serenade, Paganini’s dazzling Souvenir de Moscou, Sarasate’s fiery Zigeunerweisen, and Ravel’s exotic Tzigane. Grumiaux once again brings warmth and brilliance, confirming his reputation as one of the finest violinists of his generation.

Overall, Ultimate Violin Classics is a superbly curated collection that captures the violin’s versatility—ranging from tender lyricism to virtuosic brilliance. For both seasoned listeners and newcomers, it offers a timeless immersion into the heart of the violin repertoire.

Tracklist:
CD 01
Mendelssohn: Violin Concerto No. 2 in E minor
01. I. Allegro molto appassionato
02. II. Andante
03. III. Allegro non troppo - Allegro molto vivace

Bruch: Violin Concerto No. 1 in G minor
04. I. Vorspiel: Allegro moderato
05. II. Adagio
06. III. Finale: Allegro energico
07. Saint-Saens: Havanaise
08. Saint-Saens: Introduction et Rondo capriccioso - Ruggiero Ricci, violin / London Symphony Orchestra / Piero Gamba, conductor (1957, 1960)

CD 02
Mozart: Violin Concerto No. 3 in G major, K216
Cadenzas: Sam Franko
01. I. Allegro
02. II. Adagio
03. III. Rondeau: Allegro

Mozart: Violin Concerto No. 4 in D major, K218
Cadenzas: Joseph Joachim
04. I. Allegro
05. II. Andante cantabile
06. III. Rondeau [Andante grazioso - Allegro ma non troppo]

Mozart: Violin Concerto No. 5 in A major, K219
Cadenzas: Joseph Joachim
07. I. Allegro aperto
08. II. Adagio
09. III. Rondeau [Tempo di menuetto] - Henryk Szeryng, violin / New Philharmonia Orchestra / Sir Alexander Gibson, conductor (1966, 1970)

CD 03
Beethoven: “Kreutzer” Sonata (No. 9 in A major for violin and piano)
01. I. Adagio sostenuto - Presto
02. II. Andante con variazioni
03. III. Finale: Presto

Beethoven: “Spring” Sonata (No. 5 in F major for violin and piano)
04. I. Allegro
05. II. Adagio molto espressivo
06. III. Scherzo: Allegro molto
07. IV. Rondo: Allegro ma non troppo - David Oistrakh, violin / Lev Oborin, piano (1964)

CD 04
01. Von Paradis: Sicilienne (arr. Dushkin)
02. Mozart: Rondo, K250 (arr. Kreisler)
03. Gluck: Dance of the Blessed Spirits (arr. Kreisler)
04. Granados: Andaluza (arr. Kreisler)
05. Kreisler: Schon Rosmarin
06. Kreisler: Liebesleid
07. Kreisler: Liebesfreud
08. Veracini: Allegro
09. Vivaldi: Siciliano, RV 565
10. Leclair: Tambourin
11. Beethoven: Menuet in G major, WoO 10 No.2
12. Schubert: Ave Maria, D839
13. Dvorak: Humoresque in G flat major, Op.101 No.7
14. Massenet: Meditation from Thais
15. Tchaikovsky: Valse sentimentale, Op.51 No.6
16. Veracini - Largo (arr. Corti)
17. Kreisler: Rondino on a Theme of Beethoven
18. Kreisler: Andantino in the Style of Padre Martini
19. Elgar: La Capricieuse
20. Faure: Apres un reve, Op.7 No.1
21. Albeniz: Tango, Op.165 No.2 (arr. Kreisler)
22. Von Vecsey: Valse triste
23. Ponce: Estrellita (arr. Heifetz)
24. Sibelius: Nocturne, Op.51 No.3 (arr. Press) - Arthur Grumiaux, violin / Istvan Hajdu, piano (1973)

CD 05
01. Pergolesi: Andantino
02. Schubert: Standchen (Serenade), D.957 No.4
03. Mozart: Menuetto from Divertimento in D major, K334
04. Schumann: Traumerei, Op.15 No.7
05. Dvorak: Larghetto from Sonatine in G major, Op.100
06. Bach/Gounod: Ave Maria
07. Paganini: Sonata No.12 in E minor, Op.3 No.6
08. Dvorak: Songs My Mother Taught Me, Op.55 No.4
09. Wieniawski: Souvenir de Moscou
10. Ravel: Piece en forme de habanera (arr. Catherine)
11. Sarasate: Zigeunerweisen (Gypsy Airs)
12. Fiocco: Allegro (arr. Bent & O*Neill)
13. Faure: Les Berceaux, Op.23 No.1
14. Ravel: Tzigane
15. Bloch: Nigun from Baal Shem
16. Kodaly: Adagio - Arthur Grumiaux, violin / Istvan Hajdu, piano (1963, 1973, 1995)

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