This delightful recording delivers exactly what's promised -- samples of the artistry of 20 violinists from what many call classical music's golden age. Recording dates range from 1917 to 1953 (not 1955 as is stated on the back cover), with most from between the 1920s and the 1940s. The music mostly consists of short encore-type pieces, many of which were forgotten as the fun of classical music was pushed aside by tight-lipped modernists and sterile pedagogy. Indeed, the biggest surprise for the modern listener here will be ...
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This delightful recording delivers exactly what's promised -- samples of the artistry of 20 violinists from what many call classical music's golden age. Recording dates range from 1917 to 1953 (not 1955 as is stated on the back cover), with most from between the 1920s and the 1940s. The music mostly consists of short encore-type pieces, many of which were forgotten as the fun of classical music was pushed aside by tight-lipped modernists and sterile pedagogy. Indeed, the biggest surprise for the modern listener here will be the distinctive personalities evinced by the individual players. Hearing this program, one can understand how listeners of two or three generations back could recognize Fritz Kreisler's rich tones as readily as fans of pop singers today can identify their voices. Yet the other "voices" here are also recognizable in their own ways. Hear the piercing lyricism of the comparatively lesser-known Albert Spalding (track 3), for example, the infectious rhythmic swing of Joseph Szigeti...
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