Grieg: The Violin Sonatas

On this CD:

1. Sonata for violin & piano No. 2 in G major, Op. 13
Composed by Edvard Grieg
Performed by Bella Davidovich, Dmitry Sitkovetsky

2. Sonata for violin & piano No. 1 in F major, Op. 8
Composed by Edvard Grieg
Performed by Bella Davidovich, Dmitry Sitkovetsky

3. Sonata for violin & piano No. 3 in C Minor, Op. 45
Composed by Edvard Grieg
Performed by Bella Davidovich, Dmitry Sitkovetsky

Tracks:

Son No.1 in F, Op.8: Allegro Con Brio
Son No.1 in F, Op.8: Allegretto Quasi Andantino
Son No.1 in F, Op.8: Allegro Molto Vivace
Son No.2 in G, Op.13: Lento Doloroso-Allegro Vivace
Son No.2 in G, Op.13: Allegretto Tranquillo
Son No.2 in G, Op.13: Allegro Animato
Son No.3 in c, Op.45: Allegro Molto Ed Appassionato
Son No.3 in c, Op.45: Allegretto Espressivo Alla Romanza
Son No.3 in c, Op.45: Allegro Animato

Customer Reviews:

An album of collection!.......2007-07-04

The intimate feature of Edvard Grieg is basically a theorem. And these violin sonatas are by far, the best available evidence. Written in three well different periods of his life, 22, 25 and 35 years old respectively, show us with eloquent persuasion how the mood of this miniaturist allowed him to carve in relief a set of encountered feelings, the ardent passion of his birthplace and a renovated romanticism.

Of course, you may find traces of Richard Nordrak and Johannes Brahmas in which concerns its formal construction, but the way he articulates and ensembles the cantabile ,lines and slender harmonic lines carve in relief an aspect, worthy to pay attention.

In the genre of chamber work, more than any other else, maybe felt the conviction and sublime inspiration, because the form is so tied with the conceptual unity opf his musical thought, that the positive impression you receive is surprising.

In the last years, (and I celebrate for it) there has been a wide interest to play the chamber works of this musician. You have a priceless contribution in this case with these two renowned interpreters around the world. Sop please, don't hesitate just for a second and go for these lovable and if I may very little known works.

Grieg performed with heart from his homeland.......2001-11-18

This is a luxury-class performance on a bargain label. Kraggerud is one of the hottest of the young generation of Norwegian musicians. He has an inate feel for the folk character of Grieg's music which he combines with incredible musical maturity and understanding, passionate drive, and blazing technique. I was privileged to hear him perform the Op. 8 Sonata live at Grieg's home, Troldhaugen. It was tremendously moving to hear a brilliant performance by a Norwegian virtuoso who was approximately the same age Grieg was when he wrote the sonata. Rarely have I heard a performer exhibit such identification with the composer's intentions. I wrote my doctoral dissertation on a manuscript study of Grieg's sonatas for violin and piano, and Henning Kraggerud understands how to make these underperformed pieces shine with full luster. Keep an eye out for this young performer -- enjoy this album, but don't miss the chance to hear him live if you can.

Excellent performances of excellent music.......1999-05-02

Grieg's violin sonatas are a wonderful mixture of drama and lyricism. Unfortunately, some musicians ignore the drama (a common problem in Grieg). This results in music that is, while certainly pretty, also boring. There is no risk of that on this particular disc. The twentysomething performers roar through these pieces with energy and dedication. Fortunately, they don't let this get out of hand, and there is still plenty of warmth and charm to be found. The technical aspects are very good- a clear recording with a good balance between the violin and piano. Interestingly, Grieg himself performed these pieces in concert numerous times and was known for a "full speed ahead" approach that probably wasn't far removed from this disc. Enjoy!

Grieg - Violin Sonatas / Augustin Dumay · Maria João Pires

Average customer rating:

Superbly played delectable music!

Grieg - Violin Sonatas / Augustin Dumay · Maria João Pires
Edvard Grieg , Augustin Dumay , and Maria João Pires
Manufacturer: Polygram Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Schumann: Complete Piano Trios

ASIN: B000001GIA
Release Date: 2003-04-08

Tracks:

Sonata F-Dur Op. 8, I. Allegro Con Brio
Ii. Allegretto Quasi Andantino, PiVivo, Tempo I
Iii. Allegro Molto Vivace
Sonata G-Dur Op. 13, I. Lento Doloroso, Poco Allegro, Allegro Vivace
Ii. Allegretto Tranquillo
Iii. Allegro Animato
Sonata C-Moll Op. 45, I. Allegro Molto Ed Appassionato
Ii. Allegretto Espressivo Alla Romanza, Allegretto Molto, Tempo I
Iii. Allegro Animato

Customer Reviews:

Superbly played delectable music!.......1998-09-10

Structural weakness precluded Grieg's violin sonatas from being regarded as masterpieces. For instance, contrasting themes often jump from one to another without smooth transition. Yet it would be a most remorseful thing to dismiss these pieces as second-rate or mediocre, for they are among the most palatable dishes of violin music. The enchanting melodies are all of captivating beauty, and the essentially light-hearted music is in turn passionate, expressive, bittersweet, exuberant, and vigorous.

Dumay's soft-grained, pliant, colorful and multi-dimensional tone is ideally suited to these delectable pieces, and his Gallic style is most charming. Unlike some Soviet interpreters, he gave these music vitality and luscious figures. The most regrettable thing is that his breathing is way too loud--sometimes every breath is audible.

Like Oistrakh, Dumay is one of the most notable exponents of the "bad habit" of employing "on-and-off" vibrato in a single lyric phrase to no musical purpose. This undesirable usage of vibrato is pervasive in his recording of Brahms's sonatas to an almost repelling extent--wherein vibrato-less notes have become the norm--but in this disc one can only perceive vestiges of the idiosyncrasy, and it is not annoying. He does start many notes without vibrato, adding it a third way through, which, to my taste, is quite agreeable. It is astounding that even in his recording of Brahms, the overall impact of his performance is heartwarming and penetrating; his rendition of Grieg's sonatas is of course overwhelmingly expressive. His extraordinary expressivity is not generated by the variety of vibrato or slides; it comes naturally from the man.

His dramatic interpretation strives for divergent tone colors and dynamics, as well as clear rhythmic pulsation-- especially in the last movement of the third sonata. Only in two passages is his rendition disagreeable to me, both in the aforementioned movement. First, during a succession of 16 triple-stops, marked "con fuoco" [with fire] and "fortissimo" [loudest] by the composer, his bow strokes sound too short. And the way he played the subsequent four notes of the same pitch, length and marking was bewildering: he linked the first three together, but paused before the fourth.

Product Description

UPC 3269658817720

Average customer rating:

Grieg, Hagai Shaham, and Arnon Erez - A perfect match

Grieg: The Violin Sonatas

Manufacturer: Hyperion UK
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Minuets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B000FI901W
Release Date: 2006-07-11

Tracks:

Allegro Con Brio
Allegretto Quasi Andantino
Allegro Molto Vivace
Lento Doloroso - Allegro Vivace
Allegretto Tranquillo
Allegro Animato
Allegro Molto Ed Appassionato
Allegretto Espressivo Alla Romanza
Allegro Animato - Prestissimo
At Home Op.43 No.3
Puck Op.71 No.3
Lonely Wanderer Op.43 No.2
Scherzo-Impromptu Op.73 No.2
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Customer Reviews:

Grieg, Hagai Shaham, and Arnon Erez - A perfect match.......2007-01-08

Though the fiddle became at his time the Norwegian folk instrument, and Grieg, a pianist, was significantly influenced by close violinists, he did not write many compositions for the violin. However, in 1900, at age 57, he wrote in a letter, that the three violin sonatas were among the most important of his works. Hagai Shaham and Arnon Erez give in this CD a fascinating, almost breath-taking performance of Grieg's violin sonatas, which beautifully demonstrates both Grieg's, and Shaham's and Erez's amazing abilities to touch the heart. As pleasant and very satisfying are also the miniatures, transcribed for the violin by Joseph Achron. The CD production is of a very high quality. The sleeve notes are well arranged, detailed and provide a broad background. Highly recommended.

Edvard Grieg The 3 Sonatas for Violin and Piano

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Edvard Grieg The 3 Sonatas for Violin and Piano

Manufacturer: Bridge
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Classical | Indie Music | Stores | Music
ASIN: B000003GIK
Release Date: 1993-09-11

Tracks:

Son in G, Op.13: I. Lento Doloroso; Allegro Vivace
Son in G, Op.13: II. Allegretto Tranquillo
Son in G, Op.13: III. Allegro Animato
Son in F, Op.8: I. Allegro Con Brio
Son in F, Op.8: II. Allegretto Quasi Andantino
Son in F, Op.8: III. Allegro Molto Vivace
Son in c, Op.45: I. Allegro Molto Ed Apassionato
Son in c, Op.45: II. Allegretto Espressivo Alla Romanza
Son in c, Op.45: III. Allegro Animato

Average customer rating:

What is criticism?

Grieg Violin Sonatas
Pierre Amoyal , and Frederic Chiu
Manufacturer: Harmonia Mundi
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B00003Z9UZ
Release Date: 2000-02-08

Tracks:

Sonata in C Minor, Op. 45: Allegro molto ed appassionato
Sonata in C Minor, Op. 45: Allegretto espressivo alla Romanza
Sonata in C Minor, Op. 45: Allegro animato
Sonata in G Major, Op. 12: Lento doloroso/Allegro vivace
Sonata in G Major, Op. 12: Allegretto tranquillo
Sonata in G Major, Op. 12: Allegro animato
Sonata in F Major, Op. 8: Allegro con brio/Andante
Sonata in F Major, Op. 8: Allegretto quasi Andantino
Sonata in F Major, Op. 8: Allegro molto vivace

Amazon.com

In his heyday, Edvard Grieg (1843-1907) enjoyed a high-profile international status, encouraging other composers to look to their indigenous musical roots for inspiration, as he did to the folk legacy of Norway. Yet it's really astonishing how many of his pieces--aside from such works as the Piano Concerto and Peer Gynt--are gems still waiting to be discovered by a larger contingent of music lovers. Grieg himself ranked his three violin sonatas among his best works. Together they span the breadth of his career, from the folklike charm and youthful zest of the Sonata in F Major (Op. 8) to the profound, inner melancholy of the C minor sonata (Op. 45). Although their bent for the most part isn't innovative or experimental, these sonatas express an often rhapsodic intensity within the confines of the romantic chamber music idiom.

Pierre Amoyal and Frederic Chiu have developed a partnership (apparent in their acclaimed recording of Prokofiev sonatas) that is ingratiatingly balanced and blissfully spontaneous in expression--just savor how Chiu plays the piano's harmonies off violinist Amoyal's sweetly focused but uncloying tone. In these passages of heightened lyricism, Amoyal readily mimics the human voice on which Grieg lavished such tenderness in his songs. Recorded at the Skywalker Sound studios, the CD is warmly enveloping and has a fantastic clarity. --Thomas May

Customer Reviews:

What is criticism?.......2000-05-05

Let me begin by saying that I've searched for the ideal performances of these sonatas for the past 14 years; now I've found them on this CD.

Gramophone and Fanfare, magazines with whose critics I often find myself in little sympathy, have given lukewarm (even tepid) reviews to the present disc.

They certainly understand the mechanics of this music better than I do, and probably have far more eloquent means of expressing themselves (thus, in some perverse way, seeming to justify their opinions), but I know what I like and I love these performances.

If I wanted to attach labels, I suppose I could call them "brisk," "modern," and "dry-eyed" (adjectives, intriguingly, which neither the Gramophone nor the Fanfare reviewers chose to use), but this is (emphatically) not to say that they lack feeling. In fact, by presenting a most refreshingly unaffected view of these three works, the performers let Grieg's emotions (rather than their own) come to the fore. They "disappear" into the music.

Particular highlights include the first movement of the first sonata, whose wonderful poignancy is conveyed better than I've ever heard it, the whole of the second sonata (off which they play the very spots; probably the best of the three performances, in my opinion), and the second movement of the third sonata, where their reserved approach finally (!) rescues the music from bathos and shows it to be one of Grieg's finest inspirations. To boot, Pierre Amoyal's sound is lush, dark, and rich (reminding me of Pinchas Zukerman in his heyday), and he plays as one with the ever-superb Frederic Chiu (can I get in a plug for his Prokofiev piano sonatas?).

After 14 years and more than a dozen CDs of these three works, it's wonderful to have found satisfaction.

Tracks:

Sonatas For Violin And Piano: Allegro con brio
Sonatas For Violin And Piano: Allegretto quasi Andantino
Sonatas For Violin And Piano: Allegro molto vivace
Sonatas For Violin And Piano: Lento doloroso
Sonatas For Violin And Piano: Allegretto tranquillo
Sonatas For Violin And Piano: Allegro animato
Sonatas For Violin And Piano: Allegro molto ed appassionato
Sonatas For Violin And Piano: Allegretto expressivo alla Romanza
Sonatas For Violin And Piano: Allegro animato

Average customer rating:

fantastic lullaby for all kinds of your own beloved

Serenade

Manufacturer: Chandos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

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fantastic lullaby for all kinds of your own beloved.......1999-10-13

The sound of harmonica wouldn't become lonesome any longer if it's with Reilly. Also ASMF ensemble gives me some kinds of feelings, solace, brightness, etc. Especially I'd be satisfied with the contents, and the romantic composers.

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Fritz Kreisler: Violin Sonatas
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