A must get recording.
David A. Hollingsworth | Washington, DC USA | 07/18/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Karl Goldmark (1830-1915) was the most important Hungarian composer after Franz Liszt. After the premiere of his first of five operas "The Queen of Sheba" and the Rustic Wedding Symphony, Goldmark became an international celebrity. Until the late 1970s, his works, especially his Violin Concerto, were performed with some regularities. By the 1980s, he was more of a forgotten figure with the recordings of his works (his Opera "Queen of Sheba" for example) now deleted. It was not until the 1990s when Yodani Butt and a few ensembles began to bring the importance of Goldmark back to light, with musical artists Wallin & Canino (in this recording) not excluded.Goldmark's Suites for Violin & Piano (1869 op. 11 & 1893 op. 43 respectively) has the beauty & the nobleness so characteristic of Goldmark's music. The First Suite is fresh & youthful with a poetic third movement & an exciting lively finale. The Second Suite is more mature, but with the same level of charm & nobleness that is memorable to those not necessarily acquainted with Goldmark's music.Violinist Ulf Wallin & pianist Bruno Canino performed with warmth & sympathy, with authority upon every note. My only hope is for the same dynamic duo to perform & record more of Goldmark's instrumental works, and soon.Recommended with a chocolate melting warmth."