Search - Rudolf Friml, Sara Davis Buechner, Stephanie Chase :: Bygone Days: Music for Violin and Piano by Rudolf Friml

Trifles served on a silver platter

klavierspiel | TX, USA | 01/13/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Anyone who remembers with nostalgia "Indian Love Call," or any of the music from Friml's operettas, will not be surprised to learn that he could write instrumental salon music with the best of them as well. In fact, as the most interesting notes to this CD reveal, Friml began his professional career as a concert pianist and composer of instrumental music, all of the music here being written for the concert violinist Jan Kubelik (father of conductor Rafael), with whom Friml toured the United States in the early twentieth century. His career as a composer of operetta began by chance in 1912 when he was hired as a replacement for the much better-known (at the time) Victor Herbert, who had walked out of a commission due to disagreements with his prima donna.



Listening to this disc of short pieces for violin and piano by the Czech composer in its entirety is a bit like consuming an entire dinner of desserts--a bit overwhelming in its sweetness. However, the pieces individually are carefully crafted and brimming with Friml's typical melodic charm. A group of them would be perfectly placed in an otherwise standard recital as an alternative to better-known short pieces by composers such as Kreisler. Stephanie Chase and Sara Davis Buechner have major concert careers as individuals; their collaboration here is technically impeccable, but more important, perfectly attuned to the delicate nuances of this perhaps dated, but still very appealing music."

Elegance and grace abound, stunning performances

Penny | New Rochelle | 12/09/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Wow - what playing! Sensitive, always musical, powerful, almost virile.



This music is almost transportive, setting a time and mood from the time the early 20th century, when life was less rushed and frantic. Chase and Buechner play this music with passion, finding the beauty in the simpler pieces without ever losing focus, and delivering stunning performances on the more viruosic works. Elegant music!"

Unmitigated Delight

Melvin R. Katskee | Omaha, NE USA | 01/25/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Beautiful music served up by two outstanding talents is bound to result in a treasure to savor. That is the essence of this production."