Along with his friend Caruso, Fritz Kreisler (1875–1962) was one of the superstars of the early gramophone era. He was “the master musician among the violinists of the day” (New York Times). He died 50 years ago (29 January 1962). 

As a composer, he is famous for his Viennese-style melodies, such as Liebesfreud and Liebesleid, for his notorious pieces “in the style of” various 18th-century masters (which he passed off as their original works, claiming to have rediscovered them in old manuscripts), and for his arrangements of well-known works by other composers.

We remember one of the world’s greatest violinists with an enticing 2CD set that includes a first time release on CD of a tribute LP from 1961, original Kreisler recordings, and an array of great modern violinists playing his works.

Contents:
CD 1
Ruggiero Ricci (first release on CD)
1. Praeludium and Allegro (in the style of Gaetano Pugnani)
2. Sicilienne and Riguadon (in the style of Francois Francoeur)
3. Chanson Louis XIII and Pavane (in the style of Louis Couperin)
4. Rondino on a Theme of Beethoven
5. Variations on a Theme by Corelli (in the style of Giuseppe Tartini)
6. Recitative and Scherzo Caprice op.6 for unaccompanied violin
7. Caprice viennois
8. Tambourin Chinois
Alt-Wiener Tanzwiesen:
9. No.1 Liebesfreud
10. No.2 Liebesleid
11. No.3 Schön Rosmarin
12. La Gitana (Arabo-Spanish Gypsy song of the 18th century)
13. The Old Refrain (from Brandl)
14. La Chasse (caprice; in the style of Jean-Baptiste Cartier)

Fritz Kreisler
15. Liebesfreud
Haddon Squire (piano)
16. Liebesleid
Haddon Squire (piano)
17. Schön Rosmarin
18. Tambourin chinois
Haddon Squire (piano)
19. Andantino (in the style of Padre Martini)
20. Song without Words Op.2 No.3 (arr. from Tchaikovsky)
New Remastering

CD 2
Jascha Heifetz
1. Gluck arr. Kreisler : Mélodie (Andante from Dance of the Blessed Spirits)
2. Rimsky-Korsakov arr. Kreisler : Hymn to the Sun (from The Golden Cockerel)
Emanuel Bay (piano)

David Oistrakh
3. La Gitana
Vladimir Yampolsky (piano)

Christian Ferras
4. Dvorak arr. Kreisler: Humoresque
5. Chaminade arr. Kreisler: Sérénade espagnole
6. Rimsky-Korsakov arr. Kreisler: Hindu Song
7. Falla arr. Kreisler: Spanish Dance from La vida breve
Jean-Claude Ambrosini (piano)

Shlomo Mintz
8. Polchinelle Serenade
9. Albéniz arr. Kreisler: Tango Op.165 No.2
10. Weber arr. Kreisler: Larghetto:
11. Gypsy Caprice
12. Wieniawski arr. Kreisler: Caprice in E flat major (Alla Saltarella)
13. Dvorak arr. Kreisler: Slavonic Dance No.2 in E minor
14. Glazunov arr. Kreisler: Sérénade espagnole
15. Granados arr. Kreisler: Spanish Dance (from Danzas espanoles)
16. La Précieuse (in the style of Louis Couperin)
Clifford Benson (piano)

Gidon Kremer
17. Syncopation
18. Marche miniature viennoise
Oleg Maisenberg (piano)

Anne-Sophie Mutter
19. Schön Rosmarin
20. Caprice viennois
21. Liebesleid
Lambert Orkis (piano)

22. Mendelssohn arr. Kreisler: Spring Song from Songs without Words Op.62 No.1
Andre Previn (piano)