Search - Beethoven, Mozart, Grumiaux :: Arthur Grumiaux & Clara Haskil Play

Coughs and all

Judy Davidson | Los Angeles, CA United States | 07/26/2002

(2 out of 5 stars)

"Being a Clara Haskil fan, I looked forward to hearing this highly acclaimed duo, but the quality of the recording is awful. It was recorded in concert, and the applause after each piece is also included. A persistent cougher during Beethoven's G Major sonata just won't leave the hall and go back home to bed. This can't compare with Isaac Stern's brilliance (Sony) in the same pieces."

Viennese classicism at its best

Hiram Gomez Pardo | Valencia, Venezuela | 07/26/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"In the middle of the two Wars the duo Busch - Serkin, after the WW2 Ferras - Barbizet, Francescati - Casadesus and occasionally Szigetti - Horszkowski captured the attention all over the world but none of them was so lively admired and best loved than Haskil - Grumiaux. They represented the unity of the opposites in all senses; different sex,

visible difference of ages but fortunately united by their devoted love for music.





This recording was indeed one of the most reminded musical registers we should take into account in the last year of the Fifties decade. Somehow and sadly this would fatally be the last year of existence of Madame Haskil, just before she left us, in the Brussels train station on December 7 1960.



The duo Haskil - Grumiaux was one of the most celebrated ones along the Fifties. A Rumanian pianist over the 50 and a very young violinist conjugated their talents and became highly beloved in Europe. Undoubtedly, the Prades Festival notably influenced, enhanced and solidified still more this emblematic musical couple.



If I should find out just an adjective to label them, this would be Mesmerizing. The beauty



and expressive phrasing of Arthur Grumiaux and the wisdom of Haskil really balanced the concept of duo and not only to think about the piano as mere musical accompaniment.



Besancon Festival was also for them another launch platform to achieve total acknowledgement around the world. Lyrical pureness, accurate tonal balance, absolute commitment and sublime musicality were some of the most characteristics of this renowned ensemble.



So under any circumstance, you should not miss this legendary recital that confirms by far all these praised epithets around this overwhelming couple. It's useless to confess you this is one of my beloved albums of obligated reference at the moment decide chamber music.



This recital dates from August 22 1960.





"