Primrose, William – Great Violists – Recital Vol.1

1 Kreisler, Fritz Allegretto in the style of Boccherini (arr. for viola and piano) 02:00
2 Dvořák, Antonín Zigeunermelodien, Op. 55, B. 104: No. 4. Als die alte Mutter (Songs my Mother Taught Me) (arr. F. Kreisler for viola and piano) 02:58
3 Dvořák, Antonín Symphony No. 9 in E Minor, Op. 95, B. 178, “From the New World”: II. Largo (arr. F. Kreisler for viola and piano) 04:48
4 Dvořák, Antonín Luca, Edmond De – Arranger 8 Humoresques, Op. 101, B. 187: No. 7 in G-Flat Major (arr. E. De Luca for viola and orchestra) 03:57
5 Massenet, Jules Élégie (arr. for voice, viola and piano) 03:19
6 Kreisler, Fritz Liebesfreud (arr. for viola and piano) 03:03
7 Kreisler, Fritz Liebesleid (arr. for viola and piano) 03:07
8 Kreisler, Fritz Praeludium and Allegro in the style of Pugnani (arr. for viola and piano) 05:01
9 Traditional, Hughes, P. – Arranger Londonderry Air (arr. P. Hughes for viola and harp) 03:33
10 Chopin, Fryderyk Nocturne No. 2 in E-Flat Major, Op. 9, No. 2 (arr. P. Sarasate for violin and piano) 04:29
11 Schubert, Franz Ellens Gesang III (Ave Maria!), Op. 52, No. 6, D. 839, “Hymne an die Jungfrau” (arr. A. Wilhelmj for viola and harp) 04:30
12 Tchaikovsky, Pyotr Il’yich String Quartet No. 1 in D Major, Op. 11: II. Andante cantabile (arr. F. Kreisler for viola and piano) 04:14
13 Tchaikovsky, Pyotr Il’yich 6 Romances, Op. 6: No. 6. None but the Lonely Heart (arr. W. Primrose for viola and piano) 03:04
14 Rachmaninov, Sergey 6 Songs, Op. 4: No. 4. In the Silence of the Night (arr. for voice, viola and piano) 02:37
15 Bach, Johann Sebastian Violin Partita No. 3 in E Major, BWV 1006: III. Gavotte en rondeau (arr. F. Kreisler for violin and piano) 03:03
16 Bach, Carl Philipp Emanuel Solfeggio in C Minor, Wq. 117/2, H. 220 (arr. W. Primrose for viola and piano) 00:58 17 Rameau, Jean-Philippe Les fetes d’Hebe: Tambourin (arr. F. Kreisler for viola and piano) 01:51
18 Benjamin, Arthur 2 Jamaican Pieces: No. 2. Jamaican Rumba (arr. for viola and piano) 01:35
Benjamin, Arthur 2 Jamaican Street Songs (arr. for viola and piano)
19 No. 1. Mattie Rag 01:30
20 No. 2. Cookie 01:58
21 Benjamin, Arthur From San Domingo (arr. for viola and piano) 02:26
22 Saint-Saëns, Camille Carnival of the Animals: XIII. The Swan (arr. for viola and piano) 02:28
23 Myronoff, Boris Caprice 03:00

Total Playing Time: 01:09:29

William Primrose (viola),

Marian Anderson (contralto) (tracks 5, 14)

Joseph Kahn (piano), Franz Rupp (piano),  Henry Isaacs (piano), David Stimer (piano), Sidonie Goossens (harp), Vladimir Sokoloff (piano)
Victor Symphony Orchestra, Charles O’Connell

Recorded 1927-1947

Label: Naxos Historical– 8.11382
Barcode: 747313338221
Serie: Great Violists
Format: CD, Album, Compilation, Remastered
Country: Germany
Released: 2011
Genre: Classical
Style: Chamber Music

William Primrose (1904-1982)
The viola player William Primrose studied the violin in his native city of Glasgow, in London, and in Belgium with Eugène Ysaÿe, who advised him to turn instead to the viola. He played in the London Quartet and then in the NBC Symphony Orchestra, during which time he established his own quartet. He then proceeded to a solo career, and several important composers (such as Bartók, Britten, Milhaud and Rochberg) wrote works for him. Viola Music Primrose was among the leading viola players of his generation, doing much to promote interest in the instrument. His compositions consist largely of pieces for the viola and include many transcriptions. Among works written for him was Bartók’s unfinished Viola Concerto.