Fritz Kreisler - Adagio from Sonata #1 in G Major (Bach)

A request to correct the speed. Fritz Kreisler playing the Adagio from Bach's Sonata #1 in G Major. Recorded in Germany for Electrola (Victor) in Dec. 1926. This record was never issued separately (in the US at least) - its the last filler side from the Beethoven Concerto. A very early pressing which suffers from some grittiness often found on early Victor electric pressings. Not a style in favor today - lots of portamento. However, my earlier posting (about 2 years ago) of this at an incorrect speed has had over 10,000 viewings and 30 comments. So I decided to do it again at the correct speed. I once assumed that all Victor electrics were recorded at a standardized 78.26 rpm. Not so. A 1926 Melba record I posted (recorded in England) plays at 80 rpm. This Kreisler record was recorded at about 76.6. My earlier posting plays at about 80. I determined the speed by comparing the sound with 2 CD reissues transferred by the 2 best audio restorers in the business. What this means is that you can't assume that speeds on most postings are absolutely correct as I usually have no way of verifying. Nevertheless, some keen eared listener will let me know when I'm wrong.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Kreisler
• Back
• Adagio
• Victor
• Electrola

[TchaikovskyFDR]

@petrof4056 78 i thought

[petrof4056]

76 rpm, that's it! thank you Roger!

[takhirviolinest]

Si, it's correct speed. Thank you so much.

[paulostroff99]

Lovely playing of this lovely piece!

[SFChristo]

Thanks for posting. Interesting issue about the speeds. Ours says its playing at 78 and my friend who is now 80 grew up with the victrola. And most likely he was listening at slightly incorrect speeds a good bit of the time.

Of course I remember a friend in 1985 with a belt drive 33/45 player and it was about 1/4 step to high in pitch. Drove me crazy because he was always claiming it was correct. Another friend with perfect pitch had to return 2 walkmen because the pitch was so far off.

[AulicExclusiva]

Such expressive playing, with the most beautiful trills.

[transformingArt]

Thanks for the correct speed. However, one correction - I have a Japanese Victor pressing of this record which is a seperate record rather than a filler side. (Side B of that record is Schon Rosemarin played by Kreisler.)

[Dagarvs]

thanks, Merrihew!

[symfotroll]

Yes, that's the one, thanks so much! Makes all the difference. Now it is actually G minor at a proper pace and we can understand what's going on. Thank you again.