Violinissimo - Great Violin Encores

Two "Phase 4" recordings reappear in their entirety on this double-CD of violin bon-bons. Josef Sakonov's is of virtuoso violin pieces (including Sarasate's Zigeunerweisen) and sentimental miniatures by Godard, Tchaikovsky, Ponce and others. This is the first international release of the complete original LP on CD. Erich Gruenberg's recording centres around Fritz Kreisler - as both composer and arranger. Only a handful of these pieces have appeared on CD before, and, as with the Sakonov recording, the Phase 4 LP is here rendered complete. These are outstanding performances, a must for lovers of the lighter side of the violin repertoire.

'Here is a rich, resonant recording ... containing beautiful tone from one of the two Guanerius violins which at one time belonged to Ferdinand David ... The program is a mixture of sentiment and fiery brilliance' (Sakonov) Gramophone (March 1973)

'Viennese born and bred, Erich Gruenberg has a head start in recapturing the appeal of these Kreisler sweetmeats ... he extracts the last ounce of sentiment ... apt period flavour' Gramophone (1977)