Fritz Kreisler – The Charming Maverick 2650422 [JW]: Classical Music Reviews

This is the kind of release that begs some questions. I suppose there are three main ones. What’s in? What’s out? And what are the transfers like?

If the ten CD box is aimed more at the generalist, someone coming to Kreisler either for the first time or for a more comprehensive look - and at a very reasonable price – what are we to make of the fact that it presents both the early electric and the 1930s remakes of the canonic concerto literature? Is this not too much of a good thing, for them at least? If it’s aimed at the specialist then we must note that not all the 1930s violin and piano recordings are present. Devotees of the violinist will know that some Berlin recorded items with Michael Raucheisen and some rather lovely performances with Arpád Sándor are missing; so too are the trio sides with his brother Hugo. None of the Kreisler-Rachmaninoff sonata recordings are here. And again, whilst the concerto repertoire also includes the late acoustic Bruch G minor – along with the Landon Ronald conducted Mozart K218 the only such non-electric in this set - it doesn’t include the much later Ormandy-led Paganini confection that Kreisler habitually performed. But the presence of the Bruch, never issued at the time, is encouraging because I’m not aware that EMI has ever previously released it – test copies of the work were given by the violinist to Elgar and they are now at Yale. It’s been left to smaller companies to reissue it.

The rationale of this set then is to concentrate on the ‘electric’ Kreisler allowing in a couple of rarities from the late acoustic era but not to attain comprehensiveness in the solo items from the 1930s nor in the case of the Paganini, and certainly not in the case of those late 1942-46 Bell Telephone/Voorhees recordings. So, to answer one’s initial question, this ten disc set might pose some intractable problems. The novice will find it too duplicatory in respect of the Beethoven, Brahms, Mendelssohn and K218 concertos and may be turned off by the sound of the acoustics – namely the Bruch with Goossens and the Mozart with Ronald. The collector will note the omissions already outlined. One might conclude that this is a ‘between two stools’ affair no matter how sensible the selection is otherwise – the complete Beethoven sonata cycle with Rupp for instance is here.

But there is another question to consider and that relates to the transfers. A look at the head note shows that these are ex-Toshiba transfers, made back in 1991. The TOCE label sported a fair number of fine boxed releases in those days – I think especially of the Capet Quartet box and one devoted to Szymon Goldberg for example, but there were others of equal note. I can’t find any acknowledgement of the previous incarnation on Toshiba in this set though the date is certainly noted – on a different score you’d better ignore the back of the box which promises an appearance by Lovro von Matačić (if only!).

Now this is the question that prospective purchasers will want to have answered; the transfers. In the current marketplace there are two major competing labels in this repertoire – Biddulph and Naxos. A few thoughts then about the transfers – and remember that the TOCE ones are getting on now for twenty years old. Biddulph’s approach was a little more piecemeal but Naxos has a Complete Concerto edition that takes in the famous acoustic Bach Double with Zimbalist as well as the Paganini-Kreisler concoction with Ormandy and all things between. In general I must say I do prefer the Naxos transfers. I can’t comment on the Naxos Bruch G minor with Goossens [8.110925] but can say that the Symposium transfer [1282] is much better than this mushy, mashy and noisy TOCE/EMI. The Mendelssohn Concerto with Ronald shows big deficiencies in the EMI box – far too over processed in comparison with Ward Marston’s 1991 work on LAB 047 and the newer Mark Obert-Thorn transfer on Naxos [8.110959]. The Beethoven sonatas are not noticeably superior to the old LYS set [033/35]. That said I did slightly prefer the more arresting sound image of Kreisler’s own captivating and shimmering Quartet in this EMI work; it’s rather more arresting than Biddulph’s LAB 001-3, which represents Ward Marston’s transfer, on Biddulph’s first ever historical re-release. When it comes to the solo items from the 1930s I find Naxos’s work on 8.110992 (Obert-Thorn, 2005) preserves more surface noise but is warmer and captures the tonal qualities that much better. Comparison of CD9 tracks 1-6 shows EMI/TOCE consistently too muffled for my tastes and Naxos strongly to be preferred.

In general then, where comparisons have been possible for me – about two thirds of the items – I would prefer the Naxos transfers. That won’t address the question of the box’s utility nor its tempting price; one British on-line company is charging only £20 for it.

I realise that I have done everything but address the question of the music making. For my views of Kreisler a few reviews are noted below but as many people will know the earlier (Leo Blech mostly) performances are just preferable to the Barbirolli ones – and Ronald in the Mendelssohn and Sargent in the 1939 K219 - except in terms of sound quality. Kreisler at sixty one was not quite the same as Kreisler a decade earlier.

Do I have anything pertinent or succinct to add? It’s a question of priorities. You have a sensible, authoritative ten CD box for a very reasonable price. In the main however other transfers are preferable, though cumulatively significantly more expensive. That’s the line that EMI is presumably banking on - otherwise they’d have commissioned new transfers.

Jonathan Woolf

Full tracklist

Fritz Kreisler – The Charming Maverick
CD 1 [70:21]
Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791)
Violin Concerto No.4 in D, K218 (Cadenza: Kreisler)
from Toshiba TOCE 6960 [4-6]
[1] I Allegro 9.06

[2] II Andante cantabile 8.30
[3] III Rondo: Andante grazioso – Allegro ma non troppo 8.27
Matrix numbers: Cc 5396-5401 & 5498-09. (HMV DB 815/818) with Orchestral accompaniment/Sir Landon Ronald
Recorded: 1 & 2 December 1924, Room No.1, Hayes. Middlesex / Producer & Engineer: unknown
Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827)
Violin Concerto in D, Op.61 (Cadenza: Kreisler)
from Toshiba TOCE 6962 [1-3]
[4] I Allegro ma non troppo 23.34
[5] II Larghetto 10.19
[6] III Rondo: Allegro 10.03
Matrix numbers: CWR 631-641. (DB 990/995) with Berlin State Opera Orchestra, Leo Blech
Recorded: 14-16 December 1926, Singakademie, Berlin / Engineer: A. D. Lawrence

CD 2 [71:04]
Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791)
Violin Concerto No.4 in D, K218 (Cadenza: Kreisler)
from Toshiba TOCE 6960 [1-3]
[1] I Allegro 9.27
[2] II Andante cantabile 8.28
[3] III Rondo: Andante grazioso – Allegro ma non troppo 8.57
Matrix numbers: 2EA 6212-17. (DB 3734/3736) with London Philharmonic Orchestra/Malcolm Sargent
Recorded: 11 February 1937, No.1 Studio, Abbey Road, London / Producer & Engineer: unknown
Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827)
Violin Concerto in D, Op.61 (Cadenza: Kreisler)
from Toshiba TOCE 6961 [1-3]
[4] I Allegro ma non troppo 23.01
[5] II Larghetto 10.41
[6] III Rondo: Allegro 10.06
Matrix numbers: 2EA 2974-84. (DB 2927/2931) with London Philharmonic Orchestra/John Barbirolli
Recorded: 16-17 & 22 June 1936, No.1 Studio, Abbey Road / Producer & Engineer: unknown

CD 3 [62:21]
Felix MENDELSSOHN (1809-1847)
Violin Concerto In E minor Op.64
from Toshiba TOCE 6964 [4-6]

[1] I Allegro molto appassionato 11.42
[2] II Andante 7.27
[3] III Allegretto non troppo – Allegro molto vivace 6.34
Matrix numbers: CWR 614-620. (DB997/1000)
Recorded: 9 & 10 December 1926, Singakademie, Berlin / Engineer: A. D. Lawrence
Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897)
Violin Concerto in D, Op.77 (Cadenza: Kreisler)
from Toshiba TOCE 6964 [1-3]
[4] I Allegro non troppo (Cadenza: Kreisler) 20.32
[5] II Adagio 7.42
[6] III Allegro giocoso, ma non troppo vivace 8.07
Matrix numbers: CWR 1355-1358, 1366-1369 & 1376. (DB 1120/1124) with Berlin State Opera Orchestra/Leo Blech
Recorded: 21, 23 & 25 November 1927, Singakademie, Berlin / Engineer: A. D. Lawrence

CD 4 [63:27]
Felix MENDELSSOHN (1809-1847)
Violin Concerto in E minor, Op.64
from Toshiba TOCE 6963 [4-6]
[1] I Allegro molto appassionato 12.10
[2] II Andante 6.59
[3] III Allegretto non troppo – Allegro molto vivace 6.41
Matrix numbers: 2EA 1465-70. (DB2460/2462) with London Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Landon Ronald
Recorded: 8 April 1935, No.1 Studio, Abbey Road, London / Producer & Engineer: unknown
Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897)
Violin Concerto in D, Op.77 (Cadenza: Kreisler)
from Toshiba TOCE 6963 [1-3]
[4] I Allegro non troppo (Cadenza: Kreisler) 20.59
[5] II Adagio 8.24
[6] III Allegro giocoso, ma non troppo vivace 8.19
Matrix numbers: 2EA 2986-2992 & 2997-2998. (DB 2915/2919) with London Philharmonic Orchestra, John Barbirolli
Recorded: 18 & 22 June 1936, No.1 Studio, Abbey Road, London / Producer & Engineer: unknown

CD 5 [48:28]
Max BRUCH
Violin Concerto No.1 in G minor, Op.26
from Toshiba TOCE 6965 [1-3]
[1] I Vorspiel: Allegro moderato 7.20

[2] II Adagio 7.29
[3] III Finale: Allegro energico 7.13
Matrix numbers: Cc 5508-5513. (Unpublished in 78 rpm format) with Royal Albert Hall Orchestra, Eugene Goossens
Recorded: 29 & 30 December 1924, Room No.1, Hayes / Producer & Engineer: unknown
Fritz KREISLER (1875-1962)
String Quartet in A minor (1919)
from Toshiba TOCE 6965 [4-7]
[4] I Moderato 7.55
[5] II Allegro vivo con spirito 6.26
[6] III Allegretto – Andante con moto 4.47
[7] IV Allegro molto moderato 7.40
Matrix numbers: 2EA 1370-1376. (DB2483/2486) with Kreisler String Quartet: Fritz Kreisler, Thomas Petre – violins, William Primrose – viola, Lauri Kennedy – cello Recorded: 1 April 1935, No.3 Studio, Abbey Road, London / Producer & Engineer: unknown

CD 6 [69:15]
Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827)
Violin Sonata No.1 in D, Op.12 No.1
from Toshiba TOCE 6966 [1-3)
[1] I Allegro con brio 6.08
[2] II Tema con variazioni: Andante con moto 7.19
[3] III Rondo: Allegro 4.36
Matrix numbers: 2EA 1377-1381. (DB 2554/2556)
Violin Sonata No.2 in A, Op.12 No.2
from Toshiba TOCE 6966 [4-6)
[4] I Allegro vivace 6.49
[5] II Andante, più tosto allegretto 5.35
[6] III Allegro piacevolle 4.17
Matrix numbers: 2EA 1882-1386. (DB 2556/2558)
Violin Sonata No.3 in E flat, Op.12 No.3
from Toshiba TOCE 6966 [7-9)
[7] I Allegro con spirito 5.49
[8] II Adagio con molt'espressione 6.06
[9] III Rondo: Allegro molto 4.07
Matrix numbers: 2EA 1387-1390. (DB 2559/2560)
Violin Sonata No.4 in A minor, Op.23
from Toshiba TOCE 6966 [10-12)
[10] I Presto 3.56
[11] II Andante scherzoso 8.11
[12] III Allegro molto 5.40
Matrix numbers: 2EA 1396-1400. (DB 2781/2783) with Franz Rupp
Recorded: 2-6 April 1935, No.3 Studio, Abbey Road, London / Producer: Fred W. Gaisberg. Engineer: unknown

CD 7 [65:46]
Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827)
Violin Sonata No.5 in F, Op.24 'Spring'
from Toshiba TOCE 6967 [1-4]
[1] I Allegro 6.56
[2] II Adagio molto espressivo 5.18
[3] III Scherzo: Allegro molto 1.09
[4] IV Rondo: Allegro ma non troppo 6.31
Matrix numbers: 2EA 1391-1395. (DB 2783/2785) with Franz Rupp
Recorded: 7 February 1936, No.3 Studio, Abbey Road, London / Producer: Fred W. Gaisberg. Engineer: unknown
Violin Sonata No.6 in A, Op.30 No.1
from Toshiba TOCE 6967 [5-7]
[5] I Allegro 7.01
[6] II Adagio molto espressivo 6.51
[7] III Allegretto con variazioni 7.19
Matrix numbers: 2EA 3081-3086. (DB 3296/3298)
Violin Sonata No.7 in C minor, Op.30 No.2
from Toshiba TOCE 6967 [8-11]
[8] I Allegro con brio 7.27
[9] II Adagio cantabile 8.33
[10] III Scherzo: Allegro 3.12
[11] IV Finale: Allegro 4.58
Matrix numbers: 2EA 3091-3096. (DB 3068/3070) with Franz Rupp
Recorded: 4 & 6 February 1936, No.3 Studio, Abbey Road, London / Producer: Fred W. Gaisberg. Engineer: unknown

CD 8 [69:28]
Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827)
Violin Sonata No.8 in G, Op.30 No.3
from Toshiba TOCE 6968 [1-3]
[1] I Allegro assai 4.02
[2] II Tempo di minuetto 6.52
[3] III Allegro vivace 3.06
Matrix numbers: 2EA 3087-3090. (DB 2786/2787) with Franz Rupp
Recorded: 5 & 6 February 1936, No.3 Studio, Abbey Road, London / Producer: Fred W. Gaisberg. Engineer: unknown
Violin Sonata No.9 in A, Op.47 'Kreutzer'
from Toshiba TOCE 6968 [4-6]
[4] I Adagio sostenuto – Presto 10.53
[5] II Andante con variazioni 13.35
[6] III Finale: Presto 8.14
Matrix numbers: 2EA 3705-3709 & 3713-3715. (DB 3071/3074) with Franz Rupp
Recorded: 17-19 June 1936, No.3 Studio, Abbey Road, London / Producer: Fred W. Gaisberg. Engineer: unknown
Violin Sonata No.10 in G, Op.96
from Toshiba TOCE 6968 [7-10]
[7] I Allegro moderato 7.02
[8] II Adagio espressivo 5.31
[9] III Scherzo: Allegro 2.05
[10] IV Poco allegretto 7.37
Matrix numbers: 2EA 3716-3721, (DB 3299-3301) with Franz Rupp
Recorded: 19 & 20 February 1936, No.3 Studio, Abbey Road, London / Producer: Fred W. Gaisberg. Engineer: unknown

CD 9 [53:41]
Fritz KREISLER (1875-1962)
Caprice viennois, Op.2
[1] from Toshiba TOCE 6969 [1] 3.38
Matrix number: 2RA 1484. (DB 3050) with Franz Rupp
Tambourin chinois, Op.3
[2] from Toshiba TOCE 6969 [2] 3.23
Matrix number: 2RA 1485. (DB 3050) with Franz Rupp
Recorded: 28 September 1936, Electrola Studios, Berlin / Producer: Walter Michael Berten. Engineer: Robert Beckett
Schön Rosmarin
[3] from Toshiba TOCE 6969 [3] 1.57
Matrix number: 0EA 6109. (HMV DA 1627) with Franz Rupp
La Gitana
[4] from Toshiba TOCE 6969 [4] 3.09
Matrix number: 0EA 6103. (DA 1629) with Franz Rupp
Liebeslied
[5] from Toshiba TOCE 6969 [5] 3.36
Matrix number: 0EA 6110. (DA 1629) with Franz Rupp
Liebesfreud
[6] from Toshiba TOCE 6969 [6] 3.12
Matrix number: 0EA 6111. (DA 1630) with Franz Rupp
Recorded: 15 February 1938, No.3 Studio, Abbey Road, London / Producer: unknown. Engineers: Edward Fowler & Harold Davidson
Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750)
Partita No.3 in E, BWV1006 – Gavotte arr. Kreisler
[7] from Toshiba TOCE 6969 [7] 3.16
Matrix number: 0EA 6097. (DA 1628) with Franz Rupp
Recorded: 14 February 1938, No.3 Studio, Abbey Road, London / Producer: unknown. Engineers: Edward Fowler & Harold Davidson
Fritz KREISLER (1875-1962)
La Précieuse (in the style of Couperin)
[8] from Toshiba TOCE 6969 [8] 3.22
Matrix number: BLR 6068. (DA 1139) with Michael Raucheisen
Chanson Louis XIII and Pavane (in the style of Couperin)
[9] from Toshiba TOCE 6969 [9] 3.38
Matrix number: BLR 6069. (DA 1139) with Michael Raucheisen
Recorded: 15 February 1930, Beethovensaal, Berlin / Producer: unknown. Engineer: Douglas Larter
Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791)
Serenade No.7 in D, K250 'Haffner' – Rondo arr. Kreisler:
[10] from Toshiba TOCE 6969 [10] 7.32
Matrix number: 2EA 6101-6102. (DB 3731) with Franz Rupp
Fritz KREISLER (1875-1962)
Rondino on a theme by Beethoven
[11] from Toshiba TOCE 6969 [11] 2.27
Matrix number: 0EA 6098. (DA 1628) with Franz Rupp
Recorded: 14-15 February 1938, No.3 Studio, Abbey Road, London / Producer: unknown. Engineers: Edward Fowler & Harold Davidson
Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828)
Rosamunde, D797 – Ballet in G arr. Kreisler:
[12] from Toshiba TOCE 6969 [12] 2.59
Matrix number: BLR 6067. (DA 1137) with Michael Raucheisen
Carl Maria von WEBER (1786-1826)
Violin Sonata in F, Op.10 – Larghetto arr. Kreisler
[13] from Toshiba TOCE 6969 [13] 2.39
Matrix number: BLR 6070. (DA 1137) with Michael Raucheisen
Recorded: 14 February 1930, Beethovensaal, Berlin / Producer: unknown. Engineer: Douglas Larter
Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750)
Sonata No.1 in G minor, BWV1001 – Adagio
[14] from Toshiba TOCE 6969 [14] 4.04
Matrix number: CWR 642. (DB 995)
Recorded: 16 December 1926, Singakademie, Berlin / Engineer: A. D. Lawrence
Robert SCHUMANN (1810-1856)
Drei Romanzen – Romanze in A, Op.94 No.2arr. Kreisler:
[15] from Toshiba TOCE 6969 [15] 3.46
Matrix number: SW 1434, (DB 1122) with Arpád Sándor
Recorded: 13 December 1927, Electrola Studios, Berlin / Engineer: A. D. Lawrence

CD 10 [58:53]
Felix MENDELSSOHN (1809-1847)
Lieder ohne Worte No.25 in G, Op.62 No.1 'A May Breeze'
[1] from Toshiba TOCE 6970 [1] 2.40
Matrix number: CW 622. (DB 1000) with Arpád Sándor
Recorded: 14 December 1926, Electrola Studio, Berlin / Engineer: A. D. Lawrence
Fryderyk CHOPIN (1810-1849)
Mazurka No.45 in A minor, Op.67 No.4 Posth arr. Kreisler
[2] from Toshiba TOCE 6970 [2] 2.44
Matrix number: 0EA 6096. (DA 1631) with Franz Rupp
Ede POLDINI (1869-1957)
arr. Kreisler: Poupée Valsante
[3] from Toshiba TOCE 6970 [3] 2.25
0EA 6105. (DA 1622) with Franz Rupp
Antonin DVOŘÁK (1841-1904)
Humoresque, Op.101 No.7 arr. Kreisler
[4] from Toshiba TOCE 6970 [4] 3.39
Matrix number: 2EA 6100. (DB 3443) with Franz Rupp
Pyotr Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893)
String Quartet No.1 in D, Op.11 – Andante cantabile arr. Kreisler
[5] from Toshiba TOCE 6970 [5] 4.31
Matrix number: 2EA 6095. (DB 3443) with Franz Rupp
Nikolai RIMSKY-KORSAKOV (1844-1908)
arr. Kreisler: Le Coq d'or – Hymn to the Sun
[6] from Toshiba TOCE 6970 [6] 4.01
Matrix number: 2EA 6108. (DB 3444) with Franz Rupp
Sadko – Chanson hindoue
[7] from Toshiba TOCE 6970 [7] 3.12
Matrix number: 0EA 6094. (DA 1627) with Franz Rupp
14-15 February 1938, No.3 Studio, Abbey Road, London / Producer: unknown. Engineers: Edward Fowler & Harold Davidson
Alexander GLAZUNOV (1865-1936)
Sérénade espagnole, Op.20 No.2 arr. Kreisler:
[8] from Toshiba TOCE 6970 [8] 2.39
Matrix number: BLR 6062. (DA 1157) with Michael Raucheisen
Recorded: 13-14 February 1930, Beethovensaal, Berlin / Producer: unknown. Engineer: Douglas Larter

TRADITIONAL
The Londonderry Air. arr. Kreisler
[9] from Toshiba TOCE 6970 [9] 3.42
Matrix number: 0EA 6107. (DA 1622) with Franz Rupp
Cyril SCOTT (1879-1970)
Lotus Land, Op.47 No.1 arr. Kreisler:
[10] from Toshiba TOCE 6970 [10] 4.06
Matrix number: 2EA 6099. (DB 3443) with Franz Rupp
14 & 15 February 1938, No.3 Studio, Abbey Road, London / Producer: unknown. Engineers: Edward Fowler & Harold Davidson
Manuel DE FALLA (1876-1946)
7 Canciones populares españolas – No.4 'Jota'arr. Kreisler:
[11] from Toshiba TOCE 6970 [11] 2.45
Matrix number: BLR 6065. (DA 1630) with Michael Raucheisen
Recorded: 14 February 1930, Beethovensaal, Berlin / Producer: unknown. Engineer: Douglas Larter
La vida breve – Danza española No.1 arr. Kreisler:
[12] from Toshiba TOCE 6970 [12] 3.28
Matrix number: 0EA 6106. (DA 1630) with Franz Rupp
14 & 15 February 1938, No.3 Studio, Abbey Road, London / Producer: unknown. Engineers: Edward Fowler & Harold Davidson
Johann Evangelist BRANDL (1760-1837)
The Old Refrain arr. Kreisler
[13] from Toshiba TOCE 6970 [13] 3.11
Matrix number: BLR 6061. (DA 1138) with Michael Raucheisen
Richard HEUBERGER (1850–1914)
Der Opernball – Midnight Bells (Im chambre séparée) arr. Kreisler
[14] from Toshiba TOCE 6970 [14] 3.14
Matrix number: BLR 6066. (DA 1138) with Michael Raucheisen
Recorded: 13-14 February 1930, Beethovensaal, Berlin / Producer: unknown. Engineer: Douglas Larter
Fritz KREISLER (1875-1962)
Scherzo alla Dittersdorf
[15] from Toshiba TOCE 6970 [15] 3.20
Matrix number: 2EA 2001. (DB 2486) with Kreisler String Quartet: Fritz Kreisler, Thomas Petre – violins, William Primrose – viola, Laurie Kennedy – cello
Recorded: 7 April 1935, No.3 Studio, Abbey Road, London / Producer & Engineer: unknown
Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750)
Suite No.3 in D, BWV1068 – Air arr. Wilhelmj
[16] from Toshiba TOCE 6970 [16] 2.30
Matrix number: 2087xCO. (G & T 37953) with piano
Recorded: February 1903, Berlin / Engineer: W. Sinkler Darby
Fritz KREISLER (1875-1962)
Aubade provençale (in the style of Couperin)
[17] from Toshiba TOCE 6970 [17] 2.44
Matrix number: Ac5691f. (HMV 07957)
Recorded: 6 November 1911, London / Engineer: William C. Gaisberg
Pyotr Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893)
Chanson sans paroles in F, Op.2 No.3 arr. Kreisler
[18] from Toshiba TOCE 6970 [18] 2.43
Matrix number: 2084xCO. (G & T 37952)
Recorded: February 1903, Berlin / Engineer: W. Sinkler Darby
EMI CLASSICS ‘ICON’ 2 65042 2 [10 CDs: 70:21 + 71:04 + 62:21 + 63:27 + 48:28 + 69:15 + 65:46 + 69:28]

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