Con Sentimento
Thomas Jones gives exuberant, virtuosic performances of Fritz Kreisler’s best-loved compositions and arrangements, joined by pianist Rachel Valler in a celebration of Viennese romantic violin style.
Antonín Dvořák composer
Christoph Willibald Gluck composer
Fritz Kreisler composer
Wilfred Lehmann composer
Niccolò Paganini composer
Anton Heuberger composer
Fritz Kreisler arranger
Fritz Kreisler: driving straight to the heart of romanticism
In Con Sentimento, Australian violinist Thomas Jones celebrates the pure genius of Viennese composer Fritz Kreisler. The programme reflects the breadth of Kreisler’s gift as composer, arranger and virtuoso violinist.
A recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Award, Jones studied with Josef Gingold, once called “the best living teacher of violin technique and repertoire in the world today.” Gingold was a friend of Kreisler and a student of the great Belgian virtuoso Eugène Ysaÿe, who shaped that blend of passionate fervour and lush sensuality at the heart of Romantic violin playing. Kreisler inherited the style and gave it his own elegance and charm. Under Gingold’s guidance, Jones absorbed the same romantic tradition.
Kreisler died in 1962, but not without controversy. London Times critic Ernest Newman accused him of perpetuating a fraud on the musical public. It had been assumed, with Kreisler’s encouragement, that he had “unearthed” baroque and classical fragments and based many pieces on them. The “Classical Manuscripts” were in fact his own compositions.
Beside Kreisler’s own works and arrangements, the disc includes the premiere recording of A Night Waltz by Australian-born violinist and composer Wilfred Lehmann, written for Jones in 1995 and exploring Kreisler’s romantic manner from a modern angle. Also heard are Liebesleid (Love’s Sorrow), Liebesfreud (Love’s Joy), and arrangements of Corelli’s La Folia, Gluck’s Melodie, traditional folk songs, and music by Paganini and Dvořák.
Reviews
The playing shows great finesse and those who love their Kreisler in the Viennese style will enjoy it ...
Throughout, Jones and his accompanist Rachel Valler team in perfect harmony and their individual contributions have been ideally balanced with the studio acoustic.
... unashamedly romantic music ... Jones gives it the eagerness and sensuality it demands.
Thomas Jones gives a distinguished Kreisler celebration. For something a little different yet relaxing, this disc is ideal.
Strong performances ... with a sure and confident technique
Artists
Fritz Kreisler
Fritz Kreisler's violin miniatures and arrangements pour Viennese charm into the encore repertoire: Liebesleid and Liebesfreud, Caprice Viennois, and those sly pastiches that sound like rediscovered baroque gems.
Thomas Jones
In 1988 Jones became the violinist with the Atlanta Chamber Players, the leading ensemble in the Southeast and toured extensively with them throughout the United States. He has also appeared as guest artist with the Borodin Trio and performed as a soloist with various Australian and American orchestras including the Dekalb Symphony, the Tampa Bay Chamber Orchestra, the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and the Queensland Pops Orchestra.
Rachel Valler
Rachel Valler O.A.M. has been associate artist for many of the ABC's performers and has appeared as a soloist with the Melbourne, Sydney and Queensland symphony orchestras. She has performed regularly for Musica Viva, the Sydney Mozart Society and the Hazlewood Trio.
Audio preview
Tracks
- Liebesleid (Love’s Sorrow) Fritz Kreisler 4:32
- Allegretto in the style of Luigi Boccherini Fritz Kreisler 4:07
- La Folia Arcangelo Corelli Arr: Fritz Kreisler 12:35
- Midnight Bells Anton Heuberger Arr: Fritz Kreisler 4:11
- Praeludium and Allegro Fritz Kreisler 6:18
- Songs My Mother Taught Me Antonín Dvořák Arr: Fritz Kreisler 3:07
- Caprice 13 Niccolò Paganini Arr: Fritz Kreisler 3:33
- Caprice 20 Niccolò Paganini Arr: Fritz Kreisler 3:28
- Melodie Christoph Willibald Gluck Arr: Fritz Kreisler 3:37
- Schön Rosmarin Fritz Kreisler 2:06
- The Old Refrain (Viennese folk song) Arr: Fritz Kreisler 3:59
- Liebesfreud (Love’s Joy) Fritz Kreisler 4:04
- A Night Waltz (A Homage to Kreisler) Wilfred Lehmann 4:05
- Menuett Fritz Kreisler 3:19
- Variations on a Theme of Corelli Fritz Kreisler 4:03
- Farewell to Cucullain (Danny Boy) (Irish Folk Song) Arr: Fritz Kreisler 4:46
- Tempo di Minuetto Fritz Kreisler 4:03
Performers
Composers
Arcangelo Corelli
Arcangelo Corelli (1653–1713) was an Italian Baroque violinist and composer. His sonatas and concerti grossi helped establish the violin’s pre-eminence and fixed models of the sonata and concerto that spread across Europe.
Antonín Dvořák
Antonín Dvořák (1841–1904) was a Czech composer whose music fused the folk rhythms and melodies of Bohemia and Moravia with the Romantic symphonic tradition, earning lasting international renown.
Christoph Willibald Gluck
Christoph Willibald Gluck stripped opera of empty display and put drama first. His reform works, from Orfeo ed Euridice to Iphigénie en Tauride, fuse Italian melody with French theatrical force in music of noble simplicity and human passion.
Wilfred Lehmann
Wilfred Lehmann, one of Australia's most versatile musicians, is an internationally acclaimed violinist, conductor and composer.
Niccolò Paganini
Paganini's Caprices, variations and concert pieces expanded the violin's technical and colouristic range, from left-hand pizzicato and harmonics to theatrical showpieces such as Le Streghe. They still set the standard for virtuoso display.
Contributors
Piano technician
Brent Ottley
Where to listen
Con Sentimento is available for streaming through Spotify and Apple Music. It can also be purchased through the iTunes Music Store.
Con Sentimento is available as a CD. It can be purchased online through Buywell Music or the Australian Music Centre which both offer online ordering.
Product details
- Catalogue number
- MD 3173
- List price
- $25.00 AUD
- Total playing time
- 75 minutes 53 seconds
- Recording Engineer
- Martin Wright
Vaughan McAlley - Venue
- Move Records Studio
- Credit
- Brent Ottley
- Release date
- 1995
- Musical work
copyright - © 1995 Move Records
- Sound recording
copyright - ℗ 1995 Move Records
- Category
- Classical
- Genre
- Romantic & Impressionist
- Barcode
- EAN 9314574317329
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