Solo Violin Works
mostly
The violin is a rather unique
instrument and in the hands of a talented person it will sound like a
woman singing. There is a difference as the violin
has a much greater range than any human
could possibly have. There are a number of extremely popular
works
for violin and orchestra. The works by Fritz Kreisler and
Franz Lehar are considered salon music. Salon music was
performed in the years before TV and radio. The wealthy would hire
prominent musicians to come to their home and entertain for a party or
other social gatherings. These generally short works were
played at such events and were immensely popular. Sadly many of
these works are not as popular today as they should be. The CD
that has
most of Kreisel's and Lehar's works is a Telarc CD titled "Viennese
Violin" (CD-80402) featuring
Robert McDuffy. This is the only CD that I have found that
has most of these works in one place. My personal favorites are
"Vienna - City of my Dreams" by Sieczynski, "Love's Sorrow" by
Kreisler. If you read the titles of the various selection you
will notice that one of them is a
"Concertino" or small concerto. See if you this CD doesn't become
a favorite of yours.
Some people may criticize my selections thus
far saying they are "mushy" or "ultra romantic". This could be
but we have to start somewhere and I
think this is as good a place as
any. Besides, who is writing this anyway?
Now it is time for something bigger.