What recordings should fill a library?

August 9, 2005 at 10:46 PM · since u r probably refereing to violin music, i would say Mikhail Rabin's 24 capricios by paganini, Eugene Ysayes solo sonatas, and really just the main classical and romantic violin concertos by whomever u really like i guess.

August 9, 2005 at 10:48 PM · All of the Beethoven sonatas for piano and violin also.

August 9, 2005 at 10:56 PM · I'd try to get a recording of someone "noteworthy" playing the Bach Sonatas and Partitas for solo violin.

August 10, 2005 at 02:18 AM · As far as violin music: Concerto for Two Violins in D Minor, effectionatly known as the "Bach Double"; that's a must. Also, the Vivaldi Concerto in A Minor. "The Four Seasons" by Vivaldi's an increadible piece of music as well. The violin concerto in D major w/ orchestra by Tchaikovsky is beautiful, exciting, and highly expressive. I LOVE IT! I would give ANYTHING to be able to play it.

The other suggestions are good too.

As far as orchestral works are concerned: Mozart's Symphonies and violin concertos (all). Beethoven's Symphonies (especially 4 & 5). Tchaikovsky's "Swan Lake", "Symphonies No. 4,5, & 6", "Romeo & Juliet's Fantasy Overture".

Brahms' Hungarian Dances are a must (especially no. 4 & 5) and violin concertos.

The list could go on and on.

August 10, 2005 at 04:25 AM · what recordings shouldn't fill a library?

August 10, 2005 at 04:36 AM · Mozart String Quartets played by The Alban Berg Quartet (spelling?)

August 10, 2005 at 09:41 AM · Willie,

Michael Bolton, for one.

August 10, 2005 at 11:10 AM · Heifetz playing Scottish Fantasy, conducted by Malcolm Sargent

August 10, 2005 at 11:15 AM · Henryk Szeryng's Bach sonatas & partitas,

Beethoven's 9 symphonies,

Beethoven's 32 piano sonatas, 10 violin sonatas,

a CD or two of Encores.

August 10, 2005 at 12:18 PM · I would pick some CD's by person as well so you can hear a variety of playing styles. I really think Sarah Chang's debut CD is great, plus Midori, Ithzak Perlman, Isaac Stern, definately Anne-Sophie Mutter, Menuhin, Heifetz, Joshua Bell, Hillary Hahnn(sp?).

I would make sure you have Mozart concertos; Bach sonatas and Partitas; Brahams, Beethoven, Schubert sonatas; Bruch, Mendelssohn,Sibelious, Beethoven, Lalo, Tchaikovsky concertos; some showpieces (such as Midori's "Encore!" CD, Pearlman's "Sarasate Carmen Fantasy, Op. 25" CD that has various other songs such as 'Zigeunerweisen', 'The Virtuoso Jascha Heifetz' CD); Paganini Caprices......just to start. ;)

August 10, 2005 at 07:23 PM · The essential would be be to have a compilaton or two or three that can clearly illustrate the evolution of playing styles since the dawn of recorded violin playing. There are several available that would allow one to hear Sarasate,Ysaye, Joachim, Auer, Hubay, Kubelik, Prihoda, Rose, Thibaud, Seidel, Zimbalist, Flesch, early Elman, etc. Developing the ability to hear, to discern, what is of value in their playing (rather than simply attacking them for being technically retrograde in some cases) is a sign of great musical maturity and will definitely inform and enrich one's development as a listener and a player.

August 27, 2005 at 11:34 AM · My thanks to all who commented.

I am adding CDs to my collection!