Johann Sebastian Bach:
Chaconne from Partita No. 2 in D Minor

Ludwig van Beethoven:
Violin Sonata No. 4 in A Minor, Op. 23:
I. Presto
II. Andante scherzoso piu allegretto
III. Allegro molto

Béla Bartók:
Violin Rhapsody No. 1, Sz. 87:
I. Lassú
II. Friss

Ernest Bloch:
Violin Concerto in A Minor:
I. Allegro deciso
II. Andante
III. Deciso

Parnassus is pleased to present Gene Gaudette and Paul Arden-Taylor’s re-masterings recordings from Joseph Szigeti “the scholarly virtuoso” (1892-1973) with Claudio Arrau and Bela Bartók in accompaniment on the piano! These famous recordings come from Vanguard, the Library of Congress, and a studio version of the recording of Ernest Bloch’s Violin Concerto in A minor with conductor Charles Munch and the Paris Conservatoire.

Joseph Szigeti “the scholarly virtuoso” (1892-1973) made his London debut at the Bechstein (Wigmore) Hall as a thirteen-year-old (the public was told he was twelve). From 1907 he was based in England and his concerto debut was made with the Bach Concerto in E major and Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto with the New Symphony Orchestra under Sir Thomas Beecham. While in Britain, until 1913, he toured with Nellie Melba and John McCormack, met Myra Hess and Ferruccio Busoni, gave the first performance of Hamilton Harty’s D minor Concerto and made his first records.

One of the most beloved and influential musical figures of the 20th century. He introduced and popularised works by many of the significant contemporary composers, among them Prokofiev, Bloch, Casella, Stravinsky, Bartók, Warlock, Martin, Cowell, Ives, Berg, Milhaud and Ravel. Were it not for Szigeti, we should also have fewer recordings of Bartók and Stravinsky as pianists: both composers were persuaded into the studio by the prospect of working with such a sympathetic musician. Szigeti was the most distinguished of a line of violinists taught by Hubay.

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Tracks were recorded 18 & 20 October 1955 at Columbia Records 30th Street Studio New York, in 1944 at the Library of Congress Washington DC, 13 April 1940 at the Library of Congress Washington DC, 22-23 March 1939 in Paris