Kolisch/Johansen Beethoven Sonatas available

Archiphon has just released Rudolf Kolisch/Gunnar Johansen performances of Beethoven Sonatas 5-10. The 2CD set is ARC-130/131. The performances are from recitals in Madison, Wisconsin in the 1960's. The album is labeled 'Volume 1.'

Jon Teske - who participates in rcmr - wrote here about two years ago that: 'Johanssen bought into Kolisch's Beethoven tempi theory and the three cycles of the sonatas [all 10 each time] where I was the page turner brought forth some barn burning performances that shocked those of us used to the recorded performances of the day. Not at all genteel. When I play Beethoven Sonatas today, I of course exhibit some of the Kolisch influences [given my somewhat limited degree of virtuosity...I am among the mere mortals of violindom] and I get the reaction that folks never heard them like that before. Kolisch had a thin wiry sound by choice, he used very little rosin, even though his Camilli and especially his La May was capable of an Oistrach or Stern sized sound. He was a demon on Urtext and warmly welcomed the new editions which were coming out at that time.'

I listened to the Archiphon CD's last night: The words 'barn burning performances' are not strong enough - the performances are astonishing, at least to me.

Hope this is of interest, David Mendes

Let us hope they come up with the Kolisch Berg concerto from Madison.