Hindemith: Sonata for Solo Violin, Op. 31 No. 1

Ruggiero Ricci has enjoyed a variegated and colourful discography on Decca and these recordings, are, apart from Prokofiev’s Second Violin Sonata, all comprised of music for solo violin. The Bach pieces date from 1957 London sessions and the 20th-century pieces were recorded three years later at Victoria Hall in Geneva. Tully Potter’s perceptive liner notes include material from an interview with the violinist, who offers interesting perspective on recording venues and corrects an error in the Decca discographical information about the recording of the Prokofiev Second Violin Sonata with Bussotti, which was recorded at his home in New Jersey. It makes its first release on CD, while several of the solo works are released internationally on CD for the first time.

[Prokofiev] “Ricci’s intonation is faultless throughout (which is more than can be said of many fiddlers), his tone is sweet and warm, and his technique carries him without a qualm over the most taxing difficulties… [His] elegance stands him in good stead in the Prokofiev, where his partner at the piano also distinguishes himself by some most artistic leggiero playing. The toy-like Scherzo could scarcely be bettered by any other violin-and-piano team.” Gramophone

The two Sonatas for Violin solo Op. 31 were inspired by his great role model, Bach. Hindemith was one of the mfew composers of the twentieth century to succeed in creating an entire musical cosmos on a mere four strings – as demonstrated admirably by the internationally renowned soloist and award winner Ida Bieler. The 41 duos for two violins were originally intended for a violin tutor, but this fact does not detract from their compositional quality. Bieler and her duo partner Georg Sarkisjan have produced the first complete recording of these charming miniatures.