Grieg: Sonatas for Violin and Piano

On this CD:

1. Sonata for violin & piano No. 1 in F major, Op. 8
Composed by Edvard Grieg
Performed by Egon Morbitzer, Michael Stockigt

2. Sonata for violin & piano No. 2 in G major, Op. 13
Composed by Edvard Grieg
Performed by Egon Morbitzer, Michael Stockigt

3. Sonata for violin & piano No. 3 in C Minor, Op. 45
Composed by Edvard Grieg
Performed by Egon Morbitzer, Michael Stockigt

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

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Brahms: Die Violinsonaten [Netherlands]
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.

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

Edvard Grieg: Sonatas for Violin and Piano

Average customer rating:

Edvard Grieg: Sonatas for Violin and Piano

Manufacturer: Koch Int'l Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000001SKB
Release Date: 1997-11-18

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

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Wedding Music | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Choruses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Tommy Reilly plays Harmonica Concertos
Thanks for the Memory
Harmonica Virtuoso
Romances
Works for Harmonica & Orchestra: Vaughan Williams: Romance; Tausky: Concertino; Moody: Little Suite, Jacob: Five Pieces

ASIN: B000000AF0
Release Date: 1992-10-28

Tracks:

Bulgarian Wedding Dance
Pavane, Op. 50
Romance
Norwegian Dance Op. 35 No. 2
Adagietto
Aviator
Serenade
Flute and Piano Sonatas: Sonata - I. Allegro
Sonata - II. Sciliana
Sonata - III. Allegro
Au Bord De L'Eau Op. 8 No.1
Preludes Book 2: Bruyerers
On Wings of Song Op. 34 No. 2
My Lagen Love
Michelle: Two Beatle Girls: Eleanor & Michelle

Customer Reviews:

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.

Average customer rating:

A treasure waits for you!

Grieg: The Violin Sonatas

Manufacturer: Orfeo
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00000597H
Release Date: 1993-01-05

Tracks:

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. 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. 3 in c, Op.45: Allegro Molto Ed Appasionato
Son No. 3 in c, Op.45: Allegretto Espressivo Alla Romanza
Son No. 3 in c, Op.45: Allegro Animato

Customer Reviews:

A treasure waits for you!.......2006-04-03

The most reminded Norwegian musician, unfairly named as a "miniaturist", wrote once: "Artists like Bach, and Beethoven have built churches and temples on the heights. I would like, as Ibsen expresses it in his drama, to build dwelling places for my fellow men in which they can feel themselves at home and be happy."

His musical nationalism does not proceed truly from his ancestors; as a matter of fact his grandfathers were Scottish immigrants. In this sense I have always maintained the fact that the chamber music has always been a magnificent device to express with absolute creative freedom and openhearted inspiration the multiple motives, concerns and livings of any composer, and many times works opus as personal dairy to communicate his most inner feelings and anguishes; (think in Smetana for instance, with his famous String Quartet "My life" in which describes in the Fourth Movement where he remarks with febrile intensity his awful raising deafness)

The first one is a visible youth composition. It is filled of vitality and innovative proposals. The Second one is much more intimate and mature, in spite of the fact there are two years of difference between them.

You should not forget besides, the lovable Cello sonata and his string Quartet, because Grieg as Brahms and many others composers open his heart in most of those intimate pages.

And if you add the presence, expressive eloquence and warm tune of this unforgettable violinist, a supreme master of this instrument whose premature departure in the Fifties was a true disgrace for the music. Sitkovesky 's Kachaturian ' Violin Concerto has no parallel.

Don' t miss this record.

Average customer rating:

GRANDLY GRIEG

Grieg: Sonatas for Violin & Piano

Manufacturer: Arabesque Recordings
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Classical | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00006HCVD
Release Date: 2002-09-03

Customer Reviews:

GRANDLY GRIEG.......2003-02-13

This new Arabesque release of Grieg's three Sonatas for Violin and Piano immediately captures the attention by programming the works in reverse chronological order, thus plunging us headlong. Initially bemused by this detail, I quickly saw the musical wisdom behind it: Waylay the listener at the ears by the most "modern" and conceptually affecting sonata, which also happens to be Grieg's last chamber work (not that this is a major issue, since he only composed five), and then regress him. It's a stunning notion, and it works. After years of beginning with the first sonata, and ending with the third, not vice versa, I had been comforted by the temporal known; now, however, my perspective changed entirely.

Violin Sonata No. 3 in Cm, Op. 45 [1887] launches out as if possessed, the first movement hovering between agitated breathlessness and quietudes of lyricism--- all very immediate and involving. This is Grieg at a stretch, belied by the nostalgic central Romanza, which the composer might have culled from any number of his charming piano pieces, and the jaunty, folk-like finale, with its deep-throated, brooding middle section and passionate climax. Violinist Curtis Macomber gives a bravura performance of a complex emotional work, accompanied intrepidly by pianist Marija Stroke.

Sonata No. 2 in G, Op. 13 [1867] is so drenched in Norwegian angst that Grieg referred to it as his "national" sonata. Easy to hear why. From the opening Lento/Allegro, to the ripplingly blatant Animato finale, one is ensconced completely by all the musical elements that we have come to know form the composer's muse. Less aggressive than Sonata No. 3, the G Major still shows considerable verve; yet, its moments of tenderness are frequent.

Arriving at Sonata No. 1 in F, Op. 8 [1865] is, for me, like coming home. Here Grieg is at his most persuasively romantic, his most fanciful. Only twenty-two at the time, he was flexing, not stretching. He was ardent, but contained; folksy, but not rampant. In this "seedling" sonata, the roots have just begun to show. We can hear where the development will take the composer---because we've just come from there. Given this overview, the sonata becomes that much more innocent and delightful.

No qualms about the excellent performances of Macomber and Stroke, nor the striking panache and sensitivity they bring to all the works. They are, both, time travelers. We, too.