Kreutzer Mania!!

[Rod]

Originally posted by Gurn Blanston:
Rod, couldn't agree more, particularly about Op 34 & 35. The Diabelli's, contemporaneous with the "Graf Grand" fortepiano period, would perhaps not sound so different to our ears,

Believe me, on a Graf or something equivalent, the Diabelli's would be transformed into something even more miraculous. We have not really heard this music yet.

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"If I were but of noble birth..." - Rod Corkin

[Chris]

I recall Rod supplying the first movement of the Kreutzer sonata on period instruments before. I remember the performance being very good, but the piece sounded like it was just too much to handle for that poor violin.

My favored recording is by Suk. He has a certain harshness in his tone (or perhaps it had something to do with the way it was recorded) that makes his Kreutzer especially wonderful.

[Rod]

Originally posted by Chris:
I recall Rod supplying the first movement of the Kreutzer sonata on period instruments before. I remember the performance being very good, but the piece sounded like it was just too much to handle for that poor violin.

My favored recording is by Suk. He has a certain harshness in his tone (or perhaps it had something to do with the way it was recorded) that makes his Kreutzer especially wonderful.

Well, Schroder is not the perfect violinist, but I don't put the blame on his instrument. Neither is Suk from my experience. This (Schroder's) is still the best recording you will hear in my opinion.


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"If I were but of noble birth..." - Rod Corkin

[Rod]

Originally posted by Gurn Blanston:
Rod, couldn't agree more, particularly about Op 34 & 35. ... but these earlier ones, without a doubt. Perhaps the Walter or maybe the Erard, either way they would be spot on. So it goes.

Regarding op34 and 35, may I add it is not particilarly the earlier date of the works that was my point, there are certain peculiarities in these pieces that do not really work so well on the modern piano, especially with the 'Eroica' variations (op35). I have recordings of even earlier B music played on a Graf and they sound fine. I don't think Beethoven would have recommended the Erard, he thought his was unplayable!

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"If I were but of noble birth..." - Rod Corkin

[This message has been edited by Rod (edited 04-21-2004).]