Sunday 11 April 2010

The 24 caprices by Nicolò Paganini are staple diet to advanced violinists, but they are not that easy to play; some, in fact, are pretty difficult. The caprices also contain some very attractive music, and this is sometimes lost while the violinist struggles to play three parts at once in different parts of the sound spectrum. Thus, the new recording of the caprices by a string quartet does, in fact, make for pleasant and interesting listening. Paganini's not-inconsiderable musical and melodic gifts can be fully appreciated -- especially in some of the caprices that are technically difficult on the violin. The recording is by the Wihan quartet, and the excellent arrangements by William Zinn. A thoroughly worthy enterprise all round, and something that should enter the repertoire of string quartets.

Also a happy listening experience is the re-issue of the 1986 recording by Oscar Shumsky of the Bach unaccompanied sonatas and partitas. I have many, many versions of these in my collection, but Shumsky appeals greatly. As to be expected, he plays simply and in an undemonstrative manner; it is as if the only people in the world were Bach, Shumsky and a violin. No grand-standing here. And how nice to hear Bach played with an attractive sound, warming vibrato, and dead-accurate double-stopping almost worthy of Fritz Kreisler's playing. Oscar goes into my select few for these works.

2 comments:

Lee said...

Can't comment on Shumsky's Bach for now but I am sure your assessment is right. My copy is on the way from UK too. Let you know when it arrives. Meanwhile - there are the Milstein DG and Grumiaux Philips versions to keep me entertained.

Harry Collier said...

Unhappily, we don't just have Milstein or Grumiaux to reckon with: there are also very good versions by Lara St. Jobn and Alina Ibragimova. And a new set by Isabelle Faust has just been announced! Too many riches.