killer violin tracks.


hello all,

newbie here, been breaking in new system for a couple of weeks and loving it. have been reading that violins are a good test for system performance. hope some of you could share your favorite violin cd's and perhaps tell me what to listen for and what this will determine.
Ag insider logo xs@2xatagi
Ric Sanders Group- "In Lincoln Cathedral" as available thru Music Direct: Ric Sanders (acoustic violin), Vo Fletcher (acoustic guitar), Michael Gregory (drums, percussion). The group's repertoire is drawn from the work of composers including Chick Corea, George Gershwin, Duke Ellington, Joe Zawinul, Miles Davis, Stephane Grappelly, Django Reinhardt, John McLaughlin etc., plus original compositions and songs from within the group and new interpretations of folk material and some re-worked Fairport Convention favourites (of which Ric is a member). Their new album was recorded live in Lincoln Cathedral without overdubbing. A real sonic gem- includes compositions by Jimi Hendrix, George Harrison, McCartney, Miles Davis, Chick Corea.
The soundtrack from Schindler's list is very good, as is most anything by Mark O'Conner. Gil Shaham is an incredible violinist as well-- especially the Four Seasons with Orpheus. Well worth picking up.
Atagi:

If these three CD's don't do it, it can't be done ...

1. Argerich/Kremer/Bashmet/Maisky "Brahms OP 25" ... listen for richness of sound
2. Richie Beirach/Gregor Hübner/George Mraz "Round About Monteverdi" ... listen for the mood the musicians are able to create, as well as sound depth and clarity
3. Mark O'Connor "In Full Swing" ... listen for the type of detail that is possible when music is played fast ... hot violin playing at its finest, so to speak

Regards, Rich
Itzhack Perlman..."My Favourite Kreisler" EMI CDC 7 47467 2.
A 1987 recording when Itzhack was in his prime.
A very enthusiastic second to the Lara St. John / Bach recommendation. It will raise the hairs on the back of your neck, and on the back of anywhere else you happen to have hairs! Another wonderful performance and recording is the EMI recording of the Vengerov / Ysaye, Shchedrin & Bach Sonatas. Both these are solo violin recordings.

Another favorite, in spite of being mono recordings, are the harder to find recrodings of Leonid Kogan. His performances of the Beethoven Violin Concerto and the Tchaicovsky Violin Concerto are both very moving, even in mono!

Marco