Arthur Grumiaux’s 1974 Baroque sonata recital gains its first international CD release here, together with a similarly conceived 1956 mono program. You don’t care that Tartini’s “Devil’s Trill” sonata is Kreislerized when you consider Grumiaux’s consistently full-bodied tone, unmistakable and generously expressive vibrato, plus his awe-inspiring trills and double-stops. Forget authenticity for 12 minutes as you listen to Corelli’s “La Folia” sonata and revel in the violinist’s melodically inflected arpeggios and elegant lyrical lines. Notice how Grumiaux gives dotted rhythms incisive yet lilting kicks in the Leclair D major sonata’s first movement and Veracini B minor sonata’s Allamanda. Even the relaxed Vivaldi A major (Op. 2 No. 2, RV 31) outer movements contain not one iota of slackness. Many pianists tend to treat their parts in these works as backdrops, but Riccardo Castagnone (1956) and István Hajdu (1974) provide active, sensitive support. Each recording sounds excellent for its vintage, and well balanced to boot. All signs to violin heaven point toward this delectable reissue. [2/1/2008]
