S0501. ADOLF BUSCH & RUDOLF SERKIN: The Busch-Serkin Duo, public performances and broadcasts, incl. Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Schumann, Brahms & Adolf Busch. 4-Music & Arts 1244, Live Performances, 1939-50, Library of Congress, etc., incl. previously unreleased performances. Transfers by Lani Spahr. Specially priced. - 017685124426

CRITIC REVIEW:

“When Adolf Busch and Rudolf Serkin met in 1920, the Busch family almost immediately took the young 17-year-old Serkin under their wing and he moved into their home; so began one of the great musical partnerships of the twentieth century. Theirs was a relationship of musical equals that concentrated primarily on playing key works from German repertoire and avoiding the virtuosic flamboyance of some of their contemporaries. The scope of their repertoire is well represented here….All these performances were recorded live, with the exception of the unaccompanied Bach, three movements of which come from a Danish Radio broadcast….[in the Schubert] one can imagine the dark, mysterious world of the North German forests, the magical horn calls and the excitement of the awakening of nature in spring. For me these performances have seldom been surpassed….The admirable unanimity of ensemble and musical thought heard in these performances was the product not only of hours and hours of practice and concerts but also from playing for fun in the family household….It is good to have Busch’s own performance of his Second Violin Sonata, a work that betrays its allegiance to Max Reger. Strangely this work seems very un-Teutonic with its emphasis on long lines and interweaving contrapuntal texture. The CDs come with some excellent notes by Tully Potter and it is especially gratifying to hear this set as a follow-up to his recently published and authoritative study of Adolf Busch. It is good to have Busch’s own performance of his Second Violin Sonata, a work that betrays its allegiance to Max Reger. Strangely this work seems very un-Teutonic with its emphasis on long lines and interweaving contrapuntal texture. The CDs come with some excellent notes by Tully Potter and it is especially gratifying to hear this set as a follow-up to his recently published and authoritative study of Adolf Busch.”

- Donald Ellman, CLASSICAL RECORDINGS QUARTERLY, Spring, 2011