Search - Saint-Saens, Franck, Shaham :: Violin Sonatas

Saint Saens: Best Sonata Ever

Scott68 | Columbus, Ohio United States | 12/18/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"My favorite violin sonata ever has to be the Saint Seans #1 but it is not just a violin sonata, the piano part is equally interesting. I swear it sounds like something Paganini and Liszt would write togather. Alot of people do not realize how powerful of a composer Saint Saens is, I honestly have yet to hear anything I don't like. I sence that Saint Saens was like Brahms and threw out anything that was not of the highest quality. Some of the music of Siant Saens was dedicated to violin legend Pablo Sarasate and this incredible work is in the same vein as the wonderful Introduction/Rondo Capriccio and the stunning Violin Concerto 3.With all those notes going by and two instruments moving all over the place at a pace unimaginable you would think there would be some collisions between the two soloists, that is just not the case here. Every musician I ever played this disk for was in total awe. I even decided to give it to one of my best friends because he liked it so much.The Franck was dedicated to violin legend Eugene Ysaye. Alot of people consider the Franck the best violin sonata ever written. I agree it is a good one but there are many I like alot more. I have long been in awe of Franck's music and enjoy many of his chamber works.The Ravel Tzigane is easily one of the best compositions written for violin. I prefer to hear this work with an orchestra like Chung with Dutoit. This is however a fine recording of the Ravel and one I value having. No introduction needs to be given for the enormously talanted Gil Shaham, his tone is exploding with this enormous golden tone. His phrasing and timing are again, dead on with pianist Gerhard Oppitz.As usual, DG has again captured a clear and toneful performance seething with talent. Fans of virtuoso music will be pleased with this recording, not even Heifetz made a better recording of this Saint Saens sonata."

Wonderful (as usual)

agatha192 | Sydney, NSW, Austraila | 09/16/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This cd is fabulous. I believe that Gil Shaham is the greatest violinist of his generation - surpassing all others. The interpretations of the music on this cd are intelligent, my particular favourite being the Violin Sonata in A Major by Cesar Frank. Buy this cd, it would be a wonderful addition to any cd collection."