Arthur Grumiaux (violin)
Live Concert Performances
rec. 1954-1971
Meloclassic MC2056 [2 CDs: 133]
Arthur Grumiaux was, without doubt, one of the greatest violinists of the 20th century. The elegance of his bowing, the purity of his sound, the effortlessness of his technique and the refinement of his interpretations and vision all established him as one of the premiere solo careers of the twentieth century. His discography is substantial by any standards, and all the works in this 2 disc set, recorded live between 1954 and 1971, he also recorded commercially, though not all are easily available these days.
Paganini premiered his Fourth Concerto in Frankfurt on 26 April 1830. After the composer’s death the manuscript was lost, and remained so for many years. In 1954 it resurfaced and Grumiaux performed the “second world premiere” in Paris on November 7 that same year. He went on to make a commercial recording of it with the Orchestre Lamoureux under Franco Gallini. This live recording was set down 9 December 1954 in the Musikverein Großer Saal, Vienna again with Gallini conducting, the orchestra here being the Wiener Symphoniker. There are now several versions of the Concerto in the catalogue, including those by Ricci, Szeryng, Accardo and Kremer. Although Grumiaux’s commanding technical control and lyrical phrasing is very much in evidence, it lacks the go for broke, daredevilry and excitement of Ruggiero Ricci. It’s Ricci’s recording which I prefer and would recommend wholeheartedly above all the others.
Grumiaux’s Mozart, whether it be the concertos or the sonatas, is greatly admired for its inner glow, warmth and characterisation, with every element perfectly balanced and controlled. His sweet tone seems ideal for these works. There are two concertos featured in this collection, Nos. 4 and 5. Violin Concerto No 4 in D Major, KV 218 was recorded on 26 May 1955 with Henri Pensis at the helm of the Orchestre de Radio-Luxembourg. This particular concerto has always been my favorite of the five. Maybe it’s because it’s the first one I got to know, in a recording by Johanna Martzy on a Heliodor LP, where she was partnered by Eugen Jochum. Grumiaux delivers a stylish performance, the outer movements being buoyant and upbeat, whilst the slow movement is particularly expressive. I didn’t recognise the cadenzas. With the same conductor and forces, but recorded a year later on 17 May 1956, we have the fifth Concerto. The opener is fresh and spontaneous, with the central movement suffused with heartfelt tenderness. In the finale, he pulls off the contrasting Turkish section with rhythmic audacity. Henri Pensis is a sensitive conductor, offering sympathetic support.
Henry Merckel joins Grumiaux as second violin in Bach’s Double Concerto. As the work communicates a dialogue between two equal partners, the soloists are well-matched in tone and phrasing. They are also well-spotlighted. The outer movements are lively and the slow movement is gloriously soulful. Louis Martin and the Orchestre Symphonique de Strasbourg prove admirable.
In the Mendelssohn Concerto Grumiaux takes a leisurely approach in a reading that evinces maturity of vision and eloquence of line. In the lyrical sections he’s heartfelt and expressive. In the magical slow movement, the effect is spellbinding, bolstered by Münchinger’s sensitive accompaniment. The final movement is joyous and spry.
The Saint-Saëns Introduction & Rondo Capriccioso and Ysaÿe Sonata for Solo Violin in D Minor ‘Ballade’ derive from the same concert as the Mozart Fourth Concerto, taped in Luxenbourg 26 May 1955. The former is one of the staples of the virtuoso’s repertory, and this performance is as good as any. The Ysaÿe is inscribed “To Georges Enesco” and is the shortest and most frequently performed of the composer’s six solo sonatas. Grumiaux performs it with compelling dramatic intensity and pristine intonation in the double stop passages.
These superbly restored and well-engineered recorded documents open the door to much elevated music making. Here are two discs which will be a boon to the artist’s admirers, revealing many diverse aspects of Grumiaux’s refined and compelling musicianship. Dr Christof Honecker’s booklet contribution, documenting a detailed biographical profile, couldn’t be bettered.
Stephen Greenbank
Availability: Meloclassic
Contents
CD 1
PAGANINI: Violin Concerto No 4 in D Minor, MS 60
Wiener Symphoniker
Franco Gallini ∙ conductor
Recorded · 09 December 1954 · Vienna · Musikverein Großer Saal · ORF · Live Recording
MOZART: Violin Concerto No 5 in A Major, KV 219
Orchestre de Radio-Luxembourg
Henri Pensis ∙ conductor
Recorded · 17 May 1956 · Luxembourg · Auditorium Villa Louvigny · RTL · Live Recording
BACH: Concerto for 2 Violins in D Minor, BWV 1043
Henry Merckel ∙ 2nd violin
Orchestre Symphonique de Strasbourg
Louis Martin ∙ conductor
Recorded · 19 June 1958 · Strasbourg · Palais de Fêtes · RTF · Live Recording
CD 2
MOZART: Violin Concerto No 4 in D Major, KV 218
SAINT-SAËNS: Introduction & Rondo Capriccioso, Op 28
YSAYE: Sonata for Solo Violin in D Minor ‘Ballade’, Op 27, No 3
Orchestre de Radio-Luxembourg
Henri Pensis ∙ conductor
Recorded · 26 May 1955 · Luxembourg · Auditorium Villa Louvigny · RTL · Live Recording
MENDELSSOHN: Violin Concerto in E Minor, Op 64
Klassische Philharmonie Stuttgart
Karl Münchinger ∙ conductor
Recorded · 22 November 1971 · Stuttgart · Liederhalle · SDR · Live Recording
