Café Fiddle
We don’t always have to be so serious! Right? I cover lots of Mahler, Strauss, Brahms, and more. How about some lighter stuff? Please leave me a brief message about your own personal preferences a the bottom of this post–
The music presented on this CD is a selection of the salon music popular in the early 20th century. This music serves to present the personality and virtuosity of the performers, and each piece was often used as an encore after a strenuous recital. The works were often played on the radio, or as encores at the end of concerts. It is through these pieces that the musicians often gained a huge and devoted following.
The selections are as follows:
Albéniz:
- Tango (No. 2 from Espana, Op. 165)
arr. Kreisler
Debussy:
- Beau Soir
Elgar:
- Salut d’amour, Op. 12
Falla:
- La vida breve: First Spanish Dance
arr. Kreisler
Gershwin:
- It Ain’t Necessarily So (from Porgy and Bess)
arr. Heifetz
Kreisler:
- Liebesfreud
- Liebesleid
- Rondino on a Theme by Beethoven
- Schön Rosmarin
- Gypsy Caprice
- Caprice Viennois, Op. 2
Moszkowski:
- Guitare, Op. 45. No. 2
arr. Sarasate
Paradies:
- Sicilienne
arr. Dushkin
Rachmaninov:
- Vocalise, Op. 34 No. 14
arr. Michael Press
Sarasate:
- Danza Española No. 6: Zapateado, Op. 23, No. 2
Performed by Australian violinist Ben Breen, with Milton Kaye, piano
Following the success of Ben Breen’s first CD (Brahms sonatas), Mr. Breen has teamed up again with veteran pianist Milton Kaye, for their second recording together. Sadly Milton Kaye has now passed away, so this CD is the last in his long legacy of contributions to the recording industry.
As Milton Kaye has so often accompanied legendary violinists, such as Jascha Heifetz and Oscar Shumsky, this music was in his blood.
Australian violinist Ben Breen, a somewhat younger musician, has taken this style of music-making and made it his own. For this recording he has borrowed a gorgeous 1715 Guarneri violin which contributes significantly to the warmth of tone. His energy and virtuosity are partnered by Kaye’s understanding and experience.
Tags: Café Fiddle, Ben Breen, violin