Sarasate plays Bach on Disque Gramphone

[josephedwards123]

Sarasate is by far one of the greatest violinists ever but the one thing he can not play is bach because he plays it like its a virtuoso piece, hear him play his Spanish dances and you will see real sarasate!

[richygm16]

However, on another forum, someone more familiar with the recording equipment of the time informed me that this was not so, that he could have played it at the correct speed and still recorded it in one piece. Also, in several of the recordings he made at this time, he got around the short recording times by making cuts in the piece he was playing. So, he probably intended playing it this fast, probably so as to show off his technique. (cont)

[richygm16]

I find this one of the most hypnotic pieces of violin playing I have ever heard. Sure, this is not the way the piece should be played. But, I, for one, find it great fun, nonetheless. I first thought Sarasate played it this fast so as to squeeze it on to the short sides then available (incidentally, it was recorded too fast – and the speed has been adjusted down on the CD issue).(cont)

[rdisanto55]

Incredible! Thank you for sharing this! Would it be possible for you to post an mp3 of this piece?

[tuxedomoon]

Early records were not made in 78 rpm but rather in 72 or less ,everything from that period sounds fast ,so this not the real speed which Sarasate recorded the piece obvious

[BBRENTTAGHAPP]

i love sarasate, but does anybody else think hes playing this just a tad bit too fast?

[wks1978]

Yes I think he's playing way too fast.

Some of the "intonation problems" stomentendo mentions could well be caused by this ridculous tempo he adopts.

[PTFAbedeh]

@wks1978 I looove the fast tempo, it brings something to Bach i've never heard before. He definitely makes a ton of mistakes, but i find it exhilerating...

[stomentendo]

Do you really find his technique in this recording so clean and impeccable? I notice many intonation problems that are certainly not due to old recording. Some "runs" are not clear at all, and he has some problems with his bow as well. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

[richygm16]

@stomentendo Carl Flesch, the great violin teacher, said that Sarasate's playing had deteriorated by this time. Also, it has been said he thought the recording process just fun. I think we make a mistake if we think these recordings show how he played in his prime. Also, many modern recordings are "perfect" because they've been made in many takes. He was still the Heifetz and the Kreisler (technique and tone) of his time.

[Sviolinist]

Seeing as how Joachim and many other violinist from this era tuned to something like A=420 or 415, doesn't it stand to reason that this recording is being played a hair too fast? I think it's obvious near the ending that this is sped up a bit.

[squadala994]

It's not quite ready yet. (85% or so) I used to be able to play it, and I have just recently re-learned it. I'll try and have it ready within the next few weeks.

[squadala994]

I can play this on guitar

[VictrolaCredenza]

Wow, please go ahead and upload.

[zencz]

I heared it a many years ago. It's nice to hear it again. Thanx

[farzadvengerov]

What a clean technique!!