Fritz Kreisler (violin/piano)
American Portrait
rec. 1919-40(?)
Rhine Classics RH-028 [61]

I fully concur with my colleague Jonathan Woolf, who has already reviewed this release, that this a rather unusual disc. It presents Austrian-born American violinist and composer Fritz Kreisler in the multiple roles of violinist, pianist and composer. Kreisler was an excellent pianist and his playing is preserved on Ampico piano rolls, recorded at Chickering Hall, New York between 1919 and 1927. All of the recordings are of his own compositions. Here, his exquisite phrasing, pacing and refined musicality are very much in evidence. Apparently, his piano-playing was greatly admired by other musicians. Paderewski is known to have said, “I’d be starving if Fritz had taken up the piano. How beautifully he plays!”, and Louis Kaufman, enchanted by Kreisler’s pianism at a party later wrote “Kreisler played with the same engaging charm and beauty of tone on the piano as he did on the violin. There can be few great pianists who would not have envied his singing and expressive legato on the piano.” Many of the composer’s old favorites are here, and it’s a pleasure to hear them in this fresh guise: Liebesfreud, Schön Rosmarin, Caprice Viennois, Midnight Bells and Schön Rosmarin.

The second portion of the disc purports to be a concert, dated 9 November 1940, given for President Franklin Delano Roosevelt at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. It begins with Kreisler performing three of his own compositions, La Gitana, Caprice Viennois and Schön Rosmarin. The orchestra is the NBC Symphony under the baton of Frank Black. It concludes with an off-the-record speech by the President. Jonathan Woolf, in his review, considers this “a composite of two different things – a Kreisler concert and a Roosevelt speech – yoked together”. I would add my voice to his final plea that “Maybe someone with greater knowledge can confirm the date of Roosevelt’s speech and also address the question of the Kreisler concert”.

The disc is very interesting indeed, but will only be of limited interest to Kreisler collectors. It’s bolstered by Gary Lemco’s informative notes and a handful of fascinating black and white photographs.

Stephen Greenbank

Previous review: Jonathan Woolf (July 2024)

Contents
Complete Ampico piano rolls:
Apple Blossoms: “Nancy’s Farewell”
Apple Blossoms: “I’m in Love”
Liebesfreud
Schön Rosmarin
The Old Refrain
Caprice Viennois, Op.2
Toy Soldier’s March
Viennese Melody
Paradise (Alexander Krakauer)
Rêve de Jeunesse (Felix Winternitz)
Polichinelle
Entr’Acte, Op.46/2 (Walter Kramer)
Midnight Bells (Richard Heuberger)
Petite Valse
Fritz Kreisler (piano)
rec. 1919-27, Ampico Recording Piano at Chickering Hall, New York
In concert for President F. D. Roosevelt
La Gitana
Caprice Viennois
Schön Rosmarin
and off-the-record speech by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt
NBC Symphony Orchestra/ Frank Black
rec. live, claimed to be 9 November 1940, National Press Club, Washington D.C.