Bartók: Violin Sonata No. 1 - Shiokawa, Schiff (1994); Zukerman, Neikrug (1982)

Béla Bartók

Violin Sonata No. 1

Sonata for 2 Pianos & Percussion

10 Duos for 2 Violins

Yuuko Shiokawa & András Schiff
András Schiff, Bruno Canino, Zoltan Rácz, Zoltan Váczi

Lorand Fenyves, Hans Heinz Schneeberger

Composed in the early Roaring Twenties, Bartók's first Violin Sonata, one of my personal all time favourites, is a masterpiece of such beauty that words cannot express. This amazing composition, with its Hungarian folk themes, entwined with gipsy echoes and heady harmonies, is a sheer delight for ear and soul, as well as posing a technical challenge to both performers.

The virtuoso duo, both partner in life and on stage, offer a seductive, and superbly balanced performance in this rare CD. Later, when Schiff joins forces with his fellow countrymen percussionists (and our dear Neapolitan Maestro, Bruno Canino), the idiomatic pulsations beat even higher, for a truly memorable account of the great Sonata Sz. 110.

Flac, Image & Covers

Violin Sonata No. 1

Violin Sonata No. 2

Pinchas Zukerman & Marc Neikrug

This is a recording I carry close to my heart. Thirty years ago, the Israeli Maestro and his loyal American duo partner (and composer), a musical fellowship still strong today, recorded this fundamental album, which remains - in my opinion - a true reference for those who want to discover these masterpieces.


The album was bought in June 1986 at Diskemporium in Florence. Located just a few yards from the Duomo in the lovely Via dello Studio. Back in the day, this great shop used to be the Seventh Heaven for all the Florentine music lovers.

LP rip

Flac & Covers