Johanna Martzy - Johanna Martzy Plays Mendelssohn & Brahms (2014)

Johanna Martzy was one of the great violinists of the 20th Century. Her playing was always in the service of the composer’s intentions, avoiding extravagant displays as much as possible, instead performing with an unbridled swing, a soulful tone and flawlessly clear control as the focused medium of her musical energy. These two concerts show her talents at their most flawless. Johanna Martzy had played these works often and took her time before marking her studio recordings for EMI (with Paul Kletzki) – but in terms of creative power, these LIVE performances truly capture the spark of her genius.