Louis Kaufman - Kaufman Plays Romantic Sonatas (2023) [Official Digital Download]

More people have probably heard the luscious violin tone of Louis Kaufman than that of any other violinist. Playing the violin solos in such films as Gone with the Wind, Wuthering Heights, Rebecca, Pinocchio, and Casablanca, Kaufman's violin playing exemplifies the vividly evocative sound of Hollywood's 'Golden Age'. Born to Romanian-Jewish parents in Portland, Oregon, in 1905, Kaufman studied with Franz Kneisel, and began his professional career as the violist in Sascha Jacobsen's famed Musical Art Quartet. After the quartet disbanded in 1933, Kaufman resumed his career as a violin soloist. He made the premiere recording of Vivaldi's Four Seasons, as well as many contemporary works by composers such as Carmago Guarnieri, Quincy Porter, Aaron Copland, Bohuslav Martinu, William Grant Still, and Richard Rodney Bennett. The three sonatas on this CD showcase Kaufman in Romantic sonatas from the Austro-German tradition. Although his luscious sound is very much in evidence, Kaufman's readings display great elegance and refinement.

Tracklist
01. Schubert: Violin Sonata in A, D.574 “Duo”: I Allegro moderato
02. Schubert: Violin Sonata in A, D.574 “Duo”: II Scherzo: Presto
03. Schubert: Violin Sonata in A, D.574 “Duo”: III Andantino
04. Schubert: Violin Sonata in A, D.574 “Duo”: IV Allegro vivace
05. Schumann: Violin Sonata No.1 in A minor, op.105: I Mit leidenschaftlichem Ausdruck
06. Schumann: Violin Sonata No.1 in A minor, op.105: II Allegrett
07. Schumann: Violin Sonata No.1 in A minor, op.105: III Lebhaft
08. Brahms: Violin Sonata No.1 in G, op.78: I Vivace ma non troppo
09. Brahms: Violin Sonata No.1 in G, op.78: II Adagio
10. Brahms: Violin Sonata No.1 in G, op.78: III Allegro molto moderato
11. Bloch: Violin Sonata No.1: I Agitato
12. Bloch: Violin Sonata No.1: II Molto quieto
13. Bloch: Violin Sonata No.1: III Moderato