Johanna Martzy Plays Violin Concertos & Sonatas

Featuring

Ferenc Fricsay
Johanna Martzy
Paul Kletzki
Eugen Jochum
Jean Antonietti
RIAS-Symphonie-Orchester Berlin

Philharmonia Orchestra
Kammerorchester des Symphonieorchesters des Bayerischen Rundfunks
Antonín Dvořák
Johannes Brahms
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Franz Schubert
Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy
Ludwig van Beethoven
Johann Sebastian Bach

Did you know?

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Historical Context

In 1955, during the Cold War, the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra refused to perform with Johanna Martzy in Edinburgh, falsely accusing her of supporting a fascist regime.

Instruments

Johanna Martzy played first-class instruments, including the 'Tarisio' violin built by Bergonzi in 1733, which was procured for her by her sponsor Daniel Tschudi.

Critical Reception

Due to her very small discography, Johanna Martzy's LPs became highly sought after by collectors, sometimes fetching 'grotesquely high sums' in the used market.

Performer Biography

Johanna Martzy, the Hungarian violinist featured on this album, was considered a child prodigy and became the last pupil of the renowned violin teacher Jenö Hubay at age seven.

Performer Biography

Johanna Martzy fled Hungary in 1944 when Nazi Germany occupied the country, eventually settling in Switzerland.

Performer Biography

Johanna Martzy won the Concours International d'Exécution Musicale in Geneva in 1947, which helped launch her international career.

Recording & Production

The limited number of studio recordings by Johanna Martzy, including the Bach Sonatas and Partitas on this album, might be due to her rejection of romantic advances from EMI producer Walter Legge.