The "Kreutzer" Sonata

I didn't think a video with Harold Bauer could exist... I am pleasantly surprised

Beethoven "Kreutzer Sonata" Zimbalist-Bauer Rec.1926

Open content (youtube)

I also found this link... which I am sharing

http://www.musicaybiomecanica.com/harold-bauer/

if I must give my personal opinion there are 3 recordings that I adore.... all Bartók/Szigeti, Cortot/Thibaud and Istomin/Stern are my top 3 favorites absolutely, followed by Haskil/Grumiaux

Regarding Harold Bauer, just two lines to say that his name is linked to Beethoven's name not only because of his performances but also because in 1918 he founded the “Beethoven Association” in New York, whose purpose was to spread the music of the German composer (and more) in America. Through various concerts, Bauer was able to collect the necessary funds for this purpose and for this merit he received American citizenship in 1924 (Bauer was born near London in 1873).

Another important event for Bauer and the Beethoven Association was the publication in English of A. W. Thayer's biography of Beethoven in 1921, which was printed until 1934, along with the supplement written by Sonneck and the 1927 publication of Beethoven's letters in America. Thayer's biography, despite him being American, was published in German in three volumes in 1866, 1872, and 1879. It was later completed also in German by Deiters and Riemann at the beginning of the 20th century, and only in 1921 was it revised and translated into English by Krehbiel, a friend of Thayer, and published by the Beethoven Association.

Unfortunately, the Beethoven Association was dissolved in 1948, only a few years before Bauer's death, which occurred in 1951.

I will take this opportunity to wish you Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year.

Luigi

Thank you for the contribution Luigi...and best wishes to you and your family too.

LuigiB wrote:

Unfortunately, the Beethoven Association was dissolved in 1948

In what sense dissolved? Do you mean disbanded or something different and more related to the events of the Second World War?

Hi Azzurro, yes I meant that it dissolved both due to a lack of funds and because Bauer had become elderly and there were few promoters. It is possible that the events of the Second World War (USA vs Germany) also had an influence. By 1940 it was already almost dissolved, even though it officially happened in 1948.

The library and the various archives passed to the New York Public Library.

Thank you Luigi