Search - Bela Bartok, Dmitry Shostakovich, Sergey Prokofiev :: Bartok: 44 Duos; Shostakovich: Three Violin Duets; Prokofiev: Sonata for Two Violins

Rare Pieces from 20th Century Masters

virtuosoviolinist | Atlanta, GA | 04/09/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"EMI Classics did a great favor for classical music connoisseurs when it released a series of recordings of lesser known works from the last 150 years under the Matrix label. This disc features the well known violinists Itzhak Perlman and Pinchas Zukerman playing pieces composed by some of the 20th century's most celebrated composers. Bartok's duos are interesting in that the higher the number of the duo, the more complex and, in my opinion, the more enjoyable it is, with the 44th duo being the most spirited and compelling of the set. The pieces by Shostakovich and Prokofiev are also impressive. The sound quality of the CD is absolutely astounding, especially considering that the recording sessions took place in the late 1970s. I recommend this to anyone interested in exploring works by Bartok, Shostakovich, and Prokofiev that are outside of what is typically performed."