Description

Great Violinists and Cellists of the 20th Century - Classic Archive Collector's Edition STRINGS Blu-ray

!!! Condition of this item is used Like New !!!

Product Information

UPC: 880242739742
Product Type: Classical Music Blu-ray Box Set
Genre: Classical String Performance/Documentary
Languages: Various (Documentary portions)
Subtitles: Deutsch, English, Français, Español
Format: Blu-ray Disc
Running Time: 1045 minutes (17 hours, 24 minutes)
Video Format: SD NTSC 4:3 on Blu-ray
Audio: Dolby Digital 2.0
Region Code: All (worldwide)
Distributor: EuroArts/Idéale Audience

Overview

The "Classic Archive Collector's Edition - Strings" is an extensive Blu-ray compilation showcasing historic performances from ten of the greatest string players of the 20th century. This comprehensive collection offers over 17 hours of material featuring legendary violinists Henryk Szeryng, Isaac Stern, Nathan Milstein, Christian Ferras, Ivry Gitlis, Leonid Kogan, and Arthur Grumiaux, alongside master cellists Mstislav Rostropovich, Paul Tortelier, and Pierre Fournier. These archival recordings, primarily from the 1950s through the 1970s, capture these virtuosos performing a rich variety of concertos and solo works spanning from Baroque to modern repertoire. Beyond the musical performances, the set includes fascinating documentaries that provide deeper insight into the lives and artistry of these remarkable musicians, particularly focusing on cellist Paul Tortelier.

Product Features

Format: Multi-disc Blu-ray set with worldwide region coding
Video: Standard definition source material presented in 4:3 format
Audio: Dolby Digital 2.0
Subtitles: German, English, French, Spanish (for documentary portions)
Running Time: 1045 minutes (17 hours, 24 minutes)
Special Features: Two documentary films - "La Musique et la Nature" by Bruno Monsaingeon (featuring Tortelier, Germany 1972) and "The Tortelier Family in Concert" (Norwich Festival 1964)
Comprehensive accompanying booklet with detailed program information

Interesting Facts

Diverse Schools of String Playing

This collection presents a remarkable opportunity to compare different national schools of string playing that defined the 20th century. The Russian tradition (represented by Kogan and Rostropovich), the Franco-Belgian school (Grumiaux and Tortelier), and various individualists who developed their own synthesis of techniques (Milstein, Stern, and Gitlis) showcase the rich diversity of approaches to string playing during this golden era. These differences can be heard in elements like vibrato, bowing techniques, and interpretive choices across similar repertoire.

Historical Context of Performances

Many of these performances were captured during the height of the Cold War, when classical music served as a crucial cultural bridge between East and West. Artists like Rostropovich and Kogan were among the few Soviet citizens allowed to perform in Western Europe, making these recordings historically significant beyond their musical value. The venues—including Paris, London, and Nice—were among Europe's most prestigious concert halls, adding to the historical importance of these documents.

Technical and Artistic Innovation

These performers helped revolutionize string technique and interpretation in the 20th century. Rostropovich, for example, collaborated with composers like Shostakovich and Prokofiev, expanding the cello's technical boundaries and inspiring dozens of new works. Gitlis became known for his pioneering performances of contemporary music, while Szeryng was celebrated for combining flawless technique with profound musicality. The collection thus documents not just great players, but genuine innovators who reshaped the art of string playing.

Program Content

Mozart

Violin Concerti K.216 & K.219 (Stern, Paris 1973)
Adagio for Violin K.261 (Stern, Paris 1973/Milstein, London 1957)
Rondo for Violin K.373 (Milstein, London 1957)

Bartók

Sonata for Solo Violin Sz. 117 (Gitlis, Paris 1952)
Romanian Folk Dances, Sz. 56 (Szeryng, Paris 1952)

Beethoven

Violin Concerto Op. 61 (Grumiaux, Paris 1965/Kogan, Paris 1966/Milstein, London 1972)
Sonata for Violoncello and Piano Op. 102, Nos. 1 & 2 (Fournier, Paris 1969, 1970)
Sonata for Violoncello and Piano No. 3 Op. 69 (Tortelier, Paris 1969)

Brahms

Violin Concerto Op. 77 (Szeryng, Paris 1962)

Debussy

Beau soir (Kogan, London 1963)

Franck

Sonata for Violin and Piano in A major (Ferras, Paris 1963)

Handel

Violin Sonata in E major, HWV 373 (Kogan, London 1963)

Leclair

Sonata for Violin and Basso continuo Op. 9, No. 3 (Szeryng, Paris 1963)

Mendelssohn

Violin Concerto Op. 64 (Grumiaux, Nice 1961)

Paganini

Caprice for Solo Violin Op. 1 No. 14 (Grumiaux, Nice 1961)

Prokofiev

Sinfonia Concertante for Violoncello and Orchestra Op. 125 (Rostropovich, Cannes 1970)

Ravel

Tzigane (Szeryng, Paris 1963)

Saint-Saëns

Concerto for Violoncello and Orchestra Op. 33 (Fournier, Paris 1969)
Introduction and Rondo capriccioso Op. 28 (Gitlis, Paris 1971)

Schumann

Concerto for Violoncello and Orchestra Op. 129 (Fournier, Paris 1966)

Shostakovich

Concerto for Violoncello and Orchestra No. 1 Op. 107 (Rostropovich, London 1961)

Sibelius

Violin Concerto Op. 47 (Ferras, Paris 1965)

Stravinsky

Violin Concerto in D major (Ferras, Paris 1967)

Tchaikovsky

Violin Concerto Op. 35 (Gitlis, Paris 1955)

Documentaries

"La Musique et la Nature," a film by Bruno Monsaingeon (Tortelier, Germany 1972)
"The Tortelier Family in Concert" (Norwich Festival 1964)

Publishers

A co-production involving Idéale Audience, BBC, INA, and CNC. Material originally produced for the Classic Archive TV series. © EuroArts Music International GmbH.

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