Rodolphe Kreutzer, a virtuoso violinist and composer, was a central figure of the French violin school. The work that brought him his most enduring fame as a composer was his forty classical Études ou Caprices for violin solo. These etudes first published in 1796, quickly established themselves in violin repertoire laying the foundations for violin technique which is why they are regarded as indispensable by virtuosos and teachers alike. The collection not only includes practice pieces that require good technical ability but also character pieces which are expressive and fun to play.
They are expertly performed by Elizabeth Wallfisch, one of the great artists in the field of historical violin performance. She interprets these expressive, virtuosic pieces with expressive tone and awe-inspiring technique on a violin by Petrus Paulus de Vitor from 1750 and a bow by Daniel Parker from 1782.
Hailed by Gramophone as “a splendid soloist”, Wallfisch proves herself time and again as a favourite with both audiences and orchestras because of her superb instrumental abilities, her generous and sparkling personality and her impeccable musicianship.
