Fritz Kreisler Complete RCA Recordings

A Fritz Kreisler recording can always be recognized by the violinist's beefy, baritonal sonority, inimitable portamento, and communicative warmth. Most of the repertoire here consists of the short, encore pieces that prevailed in the era of 78rpm records, many penned or arranged by Kreisler, who was always on the lookout for memorable tunes. Familiar classics like the duets with John McCormack, and Schubert, Beethoven, and Grieg sonata collaborations with Rachmaninoff turn up alongside rare alternate takes and Kreisler's lone recording as a piano soloist in Dvořak's Humoresque. One should savor these musical sweetmeats in small portions, rather than wolfing down each disc in chronological gulps. Ward Marston's transfers are beyond praise. -- Jed Distler Amazon.com

First releases, unissued takes and concerto excerpts make this set a treasure

I was delighted to hear the many never-before-available recordings in this set. While Kreisler's name is obviously eternally linked with his masterful, unique and inimitable approach to encore peices (in which he consistently demonstrates unerring rhythmic control), he also remains singularly engaging in the weightier sonata repertoire also represented in this collection. Especially intriguing are excepts (w/piano) from the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto and Lalo's Symphonie Espagnol. (I had no idea he'd recorded these.) Kreisler's eternally youthful readings make this a set to grow old with. Every aspiring violinist deserves to apprehend the possiblity, to awaken the dream, of making an individual imprint through what they re-create as well. August 26, 2007

Kind of Amazing

First thing I be wondering is where RCA (BMG--now probably Wal-Mart) got the idea that a $120 set of Kreisler faves--most short 78-era items--would be marketable? I'd love to check the Homeland Security records and see just who bought this set. I would never have sprung for it but now that I was given one I have to comment on it. Amazing!

First, there's the playing. This is a professionally ebullient fiddler. Technically astounding, but with the communicative warmth the other reviewers seem to uniformly note. I find violin tiring to the ear sometimes, but not this guy's violin. A joy to listen to.

Second, the selection. Fairly much 11 discs of solid "pop" music--a kind of Fiedlerian dream world where every piece catches the attention usually because of potent melodic pungency. I found myself looking forward to each cut, knowing I would be well-rewarded. Kreisler chose his repertoire well.

Third, oh yeah sure, nostalgia. Everything here is an echo of a world that passed largely by 1914 and was already deep nostalgia for many by the time these last recordings were made in the 1940s. I'm not sure there's anything wrong with that, it's a kind of longing not for an idealized past but for aspects of that past that are clearly missing in the world today (or even back in 1948 when the last tracks were set down). Heck, I listen to Beethoven and find myself getting nostalgic for an era when my local department store music department would make a big deal out of a new Bernstein release and a major network would actually give Lennie time to talk about classical music to the masses.

Anyway, I never intended to own the collection, now I do and I'd replace it in the blink of an eye. Charming and entertaining from disc one to disc eleven. December 8, 2005

Almost painfully beautiful music/playing

It is one of the real advatages of modern life that we can still hear and be moved by artists from the early 20th century. As listners, there are probably psychological factors that predispose us to be touched by the original rather than someone imitating a style from the past. Part of the psychological impact for me is the nostalgia element and connections this music has to memories of my ancestors who where alive when this music was being played and recorded. But beyond the listener's psychological factor(s) the artists from the early 20th century had a completely different set of musical and non-musical experiences from our contempory artists. A contemporary artist trying to duplicate the style from another era often sounds false and affected. Regardless, ultimately performances have to stand on their own musical merit. These most definately do. May 8, 2005

Absolutely Ravishing!

Ever since he first toured The U.S as a child in 1888 with pianist Moritz Rosenthal Fritz Kreisler's musical talents have left us spellbound. His playing combines a searching intelligence with intense and delightful musicality, his mellow honey-like tone appeals to the heartstrings, and awakens enthusiasm in his listeners. He was a great violinist who at the same time could touch and charm his audience. I highly reccomend this set to all lovers of the violin! March 24, 2001

Absolutely Ravishing!

Ever since he first toured The U.S as a child in 1888 with pianist Moritz Rosenthal Fritz Kreisler's musical talents have left us spellbound. His playing combines a searching intelligence with intense and delightful musicality, his mellow honey-like tone appeals to the heartstrings, and awakens enthusiasm in his listeners. He was a great violinist who at the same time could touch and charm his audience. I highly reccomend this set to all lovers of the violin! March 24, 2001

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