Classic

Bach 6 Sonatas for Violin and Harpsichord Mozart 2 Sonatas for Violin and Harpsichord Alexan

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Bach - 6 Sonatas for Violin and Harpsichord - Mozart - 2 Sonatas for Violin and Harpsichord - Alexander Schneider (Violin) - Ralph Kirkpatrick (Harpsichord)

J.S. Bach - Sonata No. 1 in B minor, BWV 1014; Sonata No. 2 in A major, BWV 1015; Sonata No. 3 in E major, BWV 1016; Sonata No. 4 in C minor, BWV 1017; Sonata No. 5 in F minor, BWV 1018; Sonata No. 6 in G major, BWV 1019 - Mozart - Sonata in C major, KV 296 - Sonata in G major, KV 379 - Alexander Schneider, Violin / Ralph Kirkpatrick, Harpsichord

The following announcement appeared in the February 2, 1948 "New Records" column of Time magazine:

"Bach: Sonatas for Harpsichord and Violin (Ralph Kirkpatrick, harpsichord; Alexander Schneider, violin; Columbia, 28 sides). An event of the year for Bach lovers, a hardy group that knows what it likes. Here, in the six early sonatas, is some of the freshest music Bach wrote, played in fine style. Recording: good."

During the 1940s through the early 1950s, harpsichordist Ralph Kirkpatrick (1911-1984) and violinist Alexander Schneider (1908-1993) concertized and recorded together extensively. Kirkpatrick and Schneider may also be considered, in retrospect, as one of the great duo teams of the last century. Among the recordings they made for Columbia are the following:

J.S. Bach: Six Sonatas for Violin and Harpsichord, BWV 1014 - 1019; Mozart: Sonatas for Violin and Harpsichord (C major, KV 296; E flat major, KV 302; A major, KV 305; D major, KV 306; F major, KV 376; B flat major, KV 378; G major, KV 379; A major, KV 526); Handel: Six Sonatas for Violin and Figured Bass.

These recordings continue to remain - after a very long time - unavailable outside their original 78rpm format and subsequent 10-inch LP reissues c.1949-50 (unless, of course, there is something out there which is totally unknown to me). I first became aware that the recordings of the six Bach sonatas existed in the early 1980s when a classical pianist acquaintance (who knew them from their 10-inch LP counterparts) complained that "they really ought to FINALLY reissue those great old recordings - (expletive deleted)!" Luckily, I happened across the 78rpm originals about five years later - in addition to several of the Mozart sonatas.

So - without further delay (or having to wait until another lifetime) - here are the above announced 28 sides of the two volumes comprising Columbia MM-719. Sonata No. 6 was recorded November 26, 1945; Sonatas Nos. 1 - 5 were recorded between January 13 and February 3, 1947. Of the two Mozart sonatas included, I've only been able to determine that the Sonata in C major, KV 296 was recorded along with Bach's Sonata No. 6 (on Nov. 26, 1945); the Sonata in G, KV 379 (possibly recorded during the later 1940s) is missing from the documentary sources I've been able to consult.

On a personal note: I've listened to these Bach recordings countless times during the last 20 years and absolutely none of their appeal has worn off.

Restorations of 78rpm material recorded between 1945 and 1947 (Bach: Columbia sets MM-719; Mozart: two selections from Columbia set M-650). The sound is as good and clean as available means has allowed.

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