Tonic Jukebox History
WEEK TWELVE - The Versatile Violin
The violin is the smallest member of an orchestra’s strings section.
Larger string instruments in order of size are viola, cello and double bass.
The violin is also known as a 'fiddle’.
The violin first appears in 16th century Italy with modifications in later centuries.
It is a versatile instrument and this week we will feature a wide range of styles.
Larger string instruments in order of size are viola, cello and double bass.
The violin is also known as a 'fiddle’.
The violin first appears in 16th century Italy with modifications in later centuries.
It is a versatile instrument and this week we will feature a wide range of styles.
Monday June 1
Fiddler on the Roof (Bock) [1964]
Opening sequence - violin solo
Played by Isaac Stern
One of the most famous ‘fiddlers’ of recent times - both Isaac Stern and the guy on the roof.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGpvgqrcq8Y
Tuesday June 2
Bach's Double Violin Concerto in D Minor (second movement),
here played by Igor & David Oistrakh and conducted by a young Sir Colin Davis.
There is one bit of dodgy filming but I think it is worth it to see father and son playing together.
This is the only piece that both Bryan and I included in our Desert Island Discs' choices.
Why? Because it it absolute perfection.
And we also chose the same recording featuring the Oistrakhs - father and son.
It was the first LP I bought with my own money.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_P9F-LVdi8
If you enjoy it:
1st movement: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6Bg-r1C5Fo
3rd movement: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgOV8k1rlxw
Wednesday June 3
Very similar to yesterday, well two violins anyway.
This time from the Irish tradition.
Máiréad Nesbitt and Cora Smyth
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYyejb8AluM
Thursday June 4
Bruch Violin Concerto third movement
Itzhak Perlman
Back to classical today and I had to choose from so many wonderful concertos (concerti?).
Decided to go for Judy's favourite.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ji0Cch5Pl1Q
Friday June 5
Now for something completely different.
The story is operatic in nature.
The devil is looking for a soul to steal.
He comes across a man called Johnny and promises a golden violin if Johnny can show he is a better violinist.
If not, he must give up his soul. Sounds a bit like Faust.
On this video look out for the one-armed keyboard player.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBjPAqmnvGA
Saturday June 6
Double header today
Autumn Leaves (Kosma)
Stephane Grappelli & Yehudi Menuhin
One of my favourite songs and one of very few I have had the joy of improvising with a talented pianist.
This is the result when you take a superb classical violinist and put him together with a great jazz violinist.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XiiUHKQg4rQ
From the gypsy tradition
Csárdás (Monti)
I went looking for a recording of this famous tune and came across the Hungarian National Gypsy Orchestra.
You might not recognise the tune until after the lengthy introduction.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5Z9GeNcUXY&t=1s
Fiddler on the Roof (Bock) [1964]
Opening sequence - violin solo
Played by Isaac Stern
One of the most famous ‘fiddlers’ of recent times - both Isaac Stern and the guy on the roof.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGpvgqrcq8Y
Tuesday June 2
Bach's Double Violin Concerto in D Minor (second movement),
here played by Igor & David Oistrakh and conducted by a young Sir Colin Davis.
There is one bit of dodgy filming but I think it is worth it to see father and son playing together.
This is the only piece that both Bryan and I included in our Desert Island Discs' choices.
Why? Because it it absolute perfection.
And we also chose the same recording featuring the Oistrakhs - father and son.
It was the first LP I bought with my own money.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_P9F-LVdi8
If you enjoy it:
1st movement: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6Bg-r1C5Fo
3rd movement: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgOV8k1rlxw
Wednesday June 3
Very similar to yesterday, well two violins anyway.
This time from the Irish tradition.
Máiréad Nesbitt and Cora Smyth
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYyejb8AluM
Thursday June 4
Bruch Violin Concerto third movement
Itzhak Perlman
Back to classical today and I had to choose from so many wonderful concertos (concerti?).
Decided to go for Judy's favourite.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ji0Cch5Pl1Q
Friday June 5
Now for something completely different.
The story is operatic in nature.
The devil is looking for a soul to steal.
He comes across a man called Johnny and promises a golden violin if Johnny can show he is a better violinist.
If not, he must give up his soul. Sounds a bit like Faust.
On this video look out for the one-armed keyboard player.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBjPAqmnvGA
Saturday June 6
Double header today
Autumn Leaves (Kosma)
Stephane Grappelli & Yehudi Menuhin
One of my favourite songs and one of very few I have had the joy of improvising with a talented pianist.
This is the result when you take a superb classical violinist and put him together with a great jazz violinist.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XiiUHKQg4rQ
From the gypsy tradition
Csárdás (Monti)
I went looking for a recording of this famous tune and came across the Hungarian National Gypsy Orchestra.
You might not recognise the tune until after the lengthy introduction.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5Z9GeNcUXY&t=1s