Sonatas and Partitas for Solo Violin (with piano accompaniment by Robert Schumann) Main Performer or Conductor: Benjamin Schmid Accompaniment/Orchestra: Lisa Smirnova Soloists: Benjamin Schmid, violin Lisa Smirnova, piano Instrumentation: Piano Violin Individual Works: with piano accompaniment by Robert Schumann Sonata no. 1 BWV 1001 Partita no. 1 BWV 1002 Sonata no. 2 BWV 1003 Partita no. 2 BWV 1004 Sonata no. 3 BWV 1005 Partita no. 3 BWV 1006 Record Label: MDG Catalog Number: MDG 333 0614-2 Year Released/Recorded: 1995 Total Playing Time: cd 1: 53'28 cd 2: 65'30 Comments: Jan Hanford: When I read that Robert Schumann had created a piano accompaniment to Bach's Sonatas and Partitas for Solo Violin I was intrigued and very curious to hear it. There are very few recordings around and even this one was somewhat difficult to find. My first impression of the recording was pretty negative because I found the piano much too soft and uninteresting. But after repeated listenings some of the subtlety revealed itself and I found the performance very beautiful. It's not an exciting accompaniment which is the fault of Schumann, not the performers. The violin performance here of the sonatas and partitas is particularly lovely, sweet and expressive. This is a delightful recording that I do highly recommend. Acknowledgements: From the collection of Jan Hanford. Date First Submitted: 04/26/2003 Purchasing: Suggested Purchasing Sources Note: Inclusion in this database does not guarantee the availability of any recording. Some recordings may be out-of-print or no longer available.