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.

Artists

Ruggiero Ricci (violin), Fritz Kreisler (violin) & Haddon Squire (piano), Fritz Kreisler (violin), Jascha Heifetz (violin) & Emanuel Bay (piano), David Oistrakh (violin) & Vladimir Yampolsky (piano), Christian Ferras (violin) & Jean-Claude Ambrosini (piano), Shlomo Mintz (violin) & Clifford Benson (piano), Gidon Kremer (violin) & Oleg Maisenberg (piano), Anne-Sophie Mutter (violin) & Lambert Orkis (piano), Anne-Sophie Mutter (violin) & André Previn (piano)