Bach Double recordings
Do you all have a favorite recording of the Bach Double? I recently saw Oistrahk and Menuhin (on DVD) which I thought was quite nice. I think I have Stern and Perlman somewhere too, (unless my memory is faulty) although it's on tape, so you can imagine how long I've had it! I've got Heifetz too, but I'd really like to expand a little and get more artists. What are your favorite recordings of this piece?
Replies (30)
Ditto Manze/Podger. Once you get used to the style listen to how different their playing styles are one from the other.
Grumiaux and (I think) Krebbers. Very romantic, but very beautiful.
Sandy
I have Stern/Perlman and Szeryng/Hausson, both very good. Have heard Oistrakh/Oistrakh is also excellent.
Hi. The best, Szeryng and france-venezuelan violinist Maurice Hasson.
Szeryng / Hausson
Menuhin / Oistrakh
...
For a modern recording, I adore Scott and Lara St. John.
I enjoy the Manze/Podger recording as well. Has anyone arranged this for a single violin yet? :-)
H Szeryng (HS) seems to figure highly. There is one Szeryng that people did not mention (HS) & Peter Rybar on an old Philips LP that I have.
Heifetz/Friedman
The first concert I ever went to featuring famous soloist(s) was Itzhak Perlman and Pinchas Zukerman playing the Bach double and the Mozart vln/vla concerto. I think I was 9 years old.
I don't remember a single detail about the performance, just the seeming impossibility that these two guys (who at that time, were the only two pro violinists I thought mattered) were right in front of me, playing the Bach double, which I was playing a few weeks later in a concert.
I haven't heard a recording in a long time of this piece. I think I own Stern/Zukerman?
I know I have the Oistrakh/Menuhin one on DVD but it's broken..
Menuhin and Enesco (1930's); the final movement is breathtaking. Also, Menuhin and Ferras (196-?) especially for the slow movement.
Just got a WONDERFUL Bach double with Adolph Busch and Frances Magnes with much spicatto in the first movement!
Hi. I just recieved a Manze/Podger recording (Harmonia Mundi), is just great and beautifull.
Hi. There is a bonus in this recording, original oboe and violin concerto with Manze and Podger, my first time with this conformation, pretty interesting.
Greetings,
that`s a beautiful concerto that really should be palyed more often. i heard a fantastic performance of it by Evelyn Rothwell and Martin Milner when I wa sa kid,
Cheer,s
Buri
Ooh, Menuhin and Enesco.....that sounds very interesing! That I'll definately check that out.
As for the Manze/Podger, I heard a clip online at Amazon and I'm not sure what to make of it. I'm a big fan of the period instrument stuff and Podger's Bach S+P recordings are among my favorite, but for some reason I can't wrap my mind around the Bach Double in a period performance. What do you all think of it?
I do wish more people would perform the Bach Double. Such a terrific piece!
-Laura
Greetings,
Laura...;)....;
Probably more people perform the Bach double than any other piece in the known universe. Isn`t it on eof those Suzuki pieces?
Cheers,
Buri
Laura--the edition of the Manze/Podger version that includes a catalogue is so cheap you may as well buy it and listen for a while. You can occupy yourself by noting the differences in their playing styles while you make up your mind. :-)
Greetings,
better still, shoplift it.
Wittering aside, I think you wilfind the main reason the work doesn`t get on stage enough is it costs too much. You have to pay for two soloists.
Cheers,
Buri
Buri, it's in Suzuki Book 5. Even though it's relatively easy to play, it is fertile ground for artistic expression, as evidenced by the stars who have played and recorded.
Oistrakh/Oistrakh
Menuhin/Oistrakh
Zukerman/Midori (Recorded in 1986, when Midori was 15 years old and a seasoned concert artist)
Laura - I agree that Manze/Podger does not do much for me, but I am not sure I can articulate why this is so. For some reason, the effort to come up with a distinctive period performance take on this piece is not very helpful (with all due respect to my relative, Wanda Landowska, who was the mother of period performance). Partly, I do not much care for Manze's interpretations of Bach, although I think Podger's are o.k. Perhaps it is because (again with apologies to Wanda) I do find period performance necessarily compelling, nor, if I am choosing a version to listen to for pure pleasure, would I necessarily choose the period performance over something that is not "authentic".
The second violin part is in Suzuki 4, and the first violin part is in Suzuki 5. I'm almost there and can't wait.
I actually like the recordings by Hilary Hahn, and the one done by Gidon Kremer, in which he plays both violin parts (one recorded, obviously).
I checked out most of the recommendations above, here's my take on these versions:
menuhin/oistrakh beautiful but the sounds of the two violins are way off balance. Oistrakh's sounds like a step-child.
rumiaux and Krebbers very by the book. the sounds of the two violins are well balanced.
Zuckerman/Midori quite a bit of disparity between a mature musician and young musician
Manze and Podger: i have nothing against modern interpretation but this is simply unbearable
Perlman and Stern: contemporary, but good.
Anybody heard Anne Akiko Myers and Anne Akiko Myers? Yep, she recorded both parts with two different instruments - and it's really good!
https://youtu.be/BZTi7UigXDI
Menuhin and Ferras (1960) was the reason I started playing violin.... today it sounds a bit too romantic.
Not quite impressed with HIP attempts; Simon Standage & Elizabeth Wilcock (with Pinnock & The English Concert)
and
Jeanne Lamon (2nd violin anonymous, Tafelmusik) are worth listening.
Arthur Grumiaux & Koji Toyoda.
Menuhin & Enescu.
Szigeti & Flesch.
Another vote for the very interesting version by Szigeti and Flesch. An little known sidelight: Alfredo Campoli was the leader (concertmaster) of the orchestra for this one. He told me how difficult Flesch was during the recording sessions.
Another vote for David and Igor Oistrakh. For the second movement, there is an enjoyable live performance (BBC Prom?) by Manze and Podger on YouTube.
Evan, no but I could compress my CD..
I prefer it to the Krebbers one.
I think there are several youtubes with Vengerov. I think he sometimes plays it with master class students, etc. He obviously really loves that piece.
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July 3, 2006 at 05:49 AM · Greetings,
double Oistrakh (very heavy and romantic)
Manze and Podger (makes the above dififcult to listen to and vice versa-it`s radical)
Szigeti /Flesch
Kreisler /Zimbalist
Heifetz/Heifetz is awful.
Szeryng/Hausson (superb)
Not sure who with but Iona Brown and friend...
Cheers,
Buri