Norwegian violinist Ole Bull has received less attention than the other composer-virtuosi of the 19th century. Perhaps because a good portion of his activity took place in the United States, where less of a historical perspective on 19th century music-making has developed among performers. Bull was Norway's first real celebrity, and as a virtuoso he was something of a rock star, playing on the emotions of crowds in a way Sarasate, for example, did not. His reception in America resembled that given to opera stars like Jenny ...
Read More
Norwegian violinist Ole Bull has received less attention than the other composer-virtuosi of the 19th century. Perhaps because a good portion of his activity took place in the United States, where less of a historical perspective on 19th century music-making has developed among performers. Bull was Norway's first real celebrity, and as a virtuoso he was something of a rock star, playing on the emotions of crowds in a way Sarasate, for example, did not. His reception in America resembled that given to opera stars like Jenny Lind and her successors. Bull was, to put it in modern terms, a character whose activities included the founding of a utopian community in the Allegheny mountains (its remnants are still there, maintained as Ole Bull State Park by the state of Pennsylvania). The musicological verdict has been that Bull's own compositions aren't up to the level of, say, Fritz Kreisler's, but Norwegian violinist Arve Tellefsen sets out to refute that view in this generous selection of 16 Bull works,...
Read Less
Portions of content provided by Rovi Corporation. © 2024 Rovi Corporation.